Carlton Benjamin Goodlett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlton Benjamin Goodlett
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Carlton Goodlett in 1966
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| Born | July 23, 1914 |
| Died | January 25, 1997 (aged 82) |
| Occupation | Physician, newspaper publisher, civil rights activist |
Carlton Benjamin Goodlett (July 23, 1914 – January 25, 1997) was an important American physician, newspaper owner, and civil rights leader in San Francisco, California. For many years, from 1951 until his death, he owned Reporter Publishing Company. This company published the Sun-Reporter, the California Voice, and several other African-American weekly newspapers in Northern California. Dr. Goodlett also had a busy medical practice in his newspaper office until he retired from medicine in 1983.
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Who Was Carlton B. Goodlett?
Carlton B. Goodlett was a remarkable person who made a big impact in his community and beyond. He was a doctor who cared for many people. He also owned newspapers that shared important news and ideas. Most importantly, he was a strong voice for civil rights, working to make sure everyone was treated fairly. His life story shows how one person can use different talents to create positive change.
Early Years and Family Life
Carlton Goodlett was born in Chipley, Florida, on July 23, 1914. His parents were Fannie T. Russ and Arthur Goodlett. Later, his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He was the younger of two children. When Carlton was three years old, a sad accident happened. His older sister, who was five, saved him from a house fire. Sadly, she did not survive.
Even as a very young child, Carlton was eager to learn. He often followed his sister to school, even though he was too young to attend. The teacher would send him home, but he kept coming back. Eventually, she saw how serious he was and let him stay in class. This showed his early determination and love for learning.
A Journey Through Education
Carlton Goodlett was a brilliant student. In 1935, he earned his bachelor's degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.. Just three years later, in 1938, he achieved something amazing. At only 23 years old, he became one of the first African Americans to earn a doctorate in psychology from the University of California at Berkeley.
He didn't stop there. Carlton Goodlett decided to become a doctor. In 1944, he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. His dedication to education helped him prepare for a life of service.
Making a Difference: Goodlett's Career
After finishing his medical studies, Dr. Goodlett returned to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1945. He opened a medical practice to help the growing Black community there. Many people had moved to the area for jobs in war industries. At the same time, he became a strong advocate for civil rights.
A Doctor for the Community
Dr. Goodlett was not just a doctor; he was a champion for his patients and fellow Black physicians. In San Francisco, Black doctors faced a big problem. They could send their patients to hospitals, but they were not allowed to treat them there. This meant they couldn't follow through with their patients' care.
Under Dr. Goodlett's leadership, this unfair rule changed. All non-white doctors gained the right to treat their patients in all public hospitals in the city. He also developed new housing in San Francisco that was open to everyone, regardless of their background. He retired from his medical practice in 1983.
The Power of the Press: Newspaper Owner
In 1948, Dr. Goodlett became a co-owner of The Reporter, a local weekly newspaper. This paper later joined with another, The Sun, to become The Sun-Reporter. By 1951, Dr. Goodlett became the sole owner. He wrote many of the newspaper's main articles, called editorials. He made The Sun-Reporter the most important Black newspaper in Northern California.
In 1971, he expanded his newspaper chain. He added Oakland's California Voice and seven other local newspapers. He also served three times as president of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which is known as the Black Press of America. Through his newspapers, Dr. Goodlett became a powerful voice in San Francisco politics. He made friends with many famous Black entertainers, artists, and politicians, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, and Dick Gregory.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Dr. Goodlett was a key figure in the civil rights movement in San Francisco. From 1947 to 1949, he was president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In this role, he spoke out against unfair hiring practices. For example, he protested how the city's public transportation system did not hire Black people. He also pushed for better public housing and showed how Black and Jewish people were kept off important local committees.
In 1947, Dr. Goodlett helped start the San Francisco Young Democrats. He was a close friend and ally of Phillip Burton, who became a powerful member of the California State Assembly and later Congress. Dr. Goodlett was credited with helping Phil Burton get elected. He also strongly supported Willie L. Brown Jr. for a state assembly seat. Dr. Goodlett even financed Brown's campaign. Willie Brown later became the Speaker of the California State Assembly and then the Mayor of San Francisco.
Dr. Goodlett was not afraid to criticize his own political friends, like President John F. Kennedy and Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. He felt they were not acting fast enough on civil rights issues. In 1966, he even ran for governor himself to protest Governor Brown's actions. He finished third in the Democratic primary election. Before the Black Panther Party became well-known, Dr. Goodlett was the main leader in San Francisco's civil rights movement. He worked hard to get jobs for African Americans and to get them appointed to important city positions they had never held before.
In 1968, Dr. Goodlett was arrested while supporting students at San Francisco State University. These students were on strike, demanding a Black studies department. The students won, and the university became the first in the country to have such a program.
Global Advocate for Peace
In the early 1960s, Dr. Goodlett joined the World Peace Council. This group brought together people from over 120 countries to work for peace. He traveled around the world, encouraging movements that supported peace and equality. He sometimes met with leaders of different countries. He was also involved with the William L. Patterson Foundation, which promoted similar goals.
Dr. Goodlett was one of the first well-known African Americans, along with Martin Luther King Jr., to publicly speak out against the war in Vietnam. He believed in peace for everyone. He was even awarded the Lenin Peace Medal by the Soviet Union in 1970 for his efforts.
Lasting Legacy and Honors
As Dr. Goodlett grew older, he faced challenges from Parkinson's disease. Even so, he continued to guide his newspapers, dictating or writing many of the editorials. He also held political meetings in his office. He once said, "The black tail is never going to wag the white dog, but if we live in the belly of the beast, we can cause quite a bellyache." This meant that even if a group is smaller, it can still make a big impact and demand attention.
In June 1994, Dr. Goodlett left San Francisco. He spent his final years with his son, Dr. Garry M. Goodlett, in Cumming, Iowa. He passed away there in 1997.
After his death, San Francisco's Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. spoke about Dr. Goodlett's importance. He said it was "the single biggest loss that the black community and the progressive community has ever suffered in San Francisco." Mayor Brown called Dr. Goodlett "the pioneer on equal rights, equal opportunity, political action, entrepreneurship, and economic independence." He described him as a "renaissance person," meaning someone with many talents and interests.
To honor his memory, on January 18, 1999, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to change the official address of San Francisco City Hall. It became 1 Carlton B. Goodlett Place. This name is now on street signs and all official mail for the building. It's a lasting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to helping others and fighting for justice.
