Clarence Mitchell Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clarence M. Mitchell Jr.
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Clarence Mitchell with President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964
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| Born |
Clarence Maurice Mitchell Jr.
March 8, 1911 |
| Died | March 18, 1984 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Lincoln University University of Minnesota |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist |
| Spouse(s) | Juanita Jackson |
| Children | 4, including Clarence III |
| Relatives | Parren Mitchell (brother) Clarence Mitchell IV (grandson) Keiffer Mitchell Jr. (grandson) |
Clarence Maurice Mitchell Jr. (March 8, 1911 – March 18, 1984) was an American civil rights activist. He worked as the main lobbyist for the NAACP for almost 30 years. He also served as a regional director for this important organization.
Mitchell was known as "the 101st U.S. Senator" because of his hard work in Washington D.C. He helped pass major civil rights laws in the 1950s and 1960s. These laws included the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act.
In 1969, the NAACP gave him the Spingarn Medal for his efforts. Later, on June 9, 1980, President Jimmy Carter gave him the "Presidential Medal of Freedom." This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the United States.
After he retired, Mitchell wrote a column for The Baltimore Sun newspaper every Sunday until he passed away in 1984. Many people gathered to honor him at his funeral. The main courthouse in Baltimore City was renamed the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in 1985 to remember him. Other places were also named after him.
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Early Life and Education
Clarence Mitchell Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Clarence M. Mitchell, was a waiter, and his mother, Elsie (Davis) Mitchell, was a homemaker. Clarence had a brother named Parren Mitchell, who later became a U.S. Congressman.
Clarence grew up in a large family with 11 members. His family often moved to different rented homes in Baltimore City. In 1929, his parents bought their own home. Mitchell saw his parents work hard to support the family. His mother even took in people who paid to eat meals at their home.
Mitchell's parents taught him to stand up for himself when it came to unfair treatment. He also spent time at the YMCA, where he learned how to box. He was a good student and worked hard. One of his elementary school teachers was the mother of Thurgood Marshall, who later became a famous lawyer and Supreme Court Justice. Mitchell had many jobs when he was young, like hauling ice and coal to help his family.
School and College Years
Mitchell went to Old Douglass High School. After graduating, he went to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. This was a historically black college. He did very well in his studies there.
Mitchell also studied at the University of Minnesota. After that, in 1937, he became a leader for the National Urban League in St. Paul. While in Minnesota, he successfully worked to stop unfair hiring practices against African Americans who worked for the city.
Career and Civil Rights Work
When he was young, Mitchell worked for The Baltimore Afro-American newspaper. He wrote articles about important events, like the Scottsboro case in 1931. He also reported on the lynching of Matthew Williams in Maryland. This event deeply affected his brother Parren, who then decided to fight for racial justice.
In the 1940s, Mitchell started working for the Fair Employment Practice Committee. This committee was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to make sure there was no discrimination in jobs related to the government. From 1942 to 1946, he held important roles in this committee, working to ensure fair employment for all Americans.
After World War II, Mitchell began working for the NAACP in 1946. He became the Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau in 1951. In this role, he worked to influence laws in Washington D.C.
In 1952, the NAACP set up the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. This group brought together many organizations to work on civil rights in Washington. Mitchell was chosen to lead the legislative efforts. He helped create the plans that led to the success of the modern civil rights movement.
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was an important step. During its passage, Senator Strom Thurmond tried to stop it by giving a very long speech, called a "filibuster." His speech lasted over 24 hours, the longest ever in the U.S. Senate by one person. Mitchell was there in the Senate watching this historic event.
Mitchell continued to work as an NAACP lobbyist through the 1960s. During this time, the civil rights movement grew stronger with many protests and increased national awareness. Mitchell played a key role in passing major civil rights laws: the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act. Because of his influence, he earned the nickname "the 101st U.S. Senator."
President Lyndon B. Johnson met with Mitchell and other African-American leaders after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 1968. Mitchell was a member of the Board of Regents at the University of Maryland, College Park from 1982 to 1984.
Legacy and Honors
- In 1969, Mitchell received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.
- President Jimmy Carter gave Mitchell the Presidential Medal of Freedom on June 9, 1980. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the United States.
- In 1985, the Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse was named in his honor.
- The Mitchell Building at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland was named after him.
- The Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Building at Morgan State University in Baltimore, which houses the engineering program, was also named for him.
- Denton L. Watson wrote a book about Mitchell called Lion in the Lobby: Clarence Mitchell, Jr.'s Struggle for the Passage of Civil Rights Laws (2002).
- Mitchell is also featured in the book Marylanders of the Century by Joseph R. L. Sterne.
Images for kids
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President Lyndon Johnson meets with Mitchell and other black leaders after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
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Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. – Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse (constructed 1896–1900), Baltimore Maryland
