Cook County Bar Association facts for kids

The Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) is the oldest group of African-American lawyers and judges in the United States. It was started in Illinois in 1914.

Before the CCBA was officially formed, a lawyer named Lloyd G. Wheeler moved to Illinois in 1869. He and 31 other Black lawyers met often. They talked about how to fight against unfair treatment in hotels, theaters, and restaurants. They also discussed how to make sure judges were chosen fairly and how to end school segregation.

One important person in this group was Ida Platt. She was the first Black woman allowed to practice law in State of Illinois. She was also the third Black woman lawyer in the entire country.

This informal group worked together until 1914. Then, a new generation of lawyers decided to create the Cook County Bar Association. Edward H. Wright became its first president. On March 5, 1920, the CCBA officially became a recognized organization in Illinois.

In 1925, some CCBA members, including C. Francis Stradford, Wendell E. Green, and Jesse N. Baker, helped start the National Bar Association (NBA). The CCBA has always worked to improve the legal profession and support its members. They also created a fair way to evaluate people who wanted to become judges.

Why the CCBA Started

The Cook County Bar Association was formed during a time called the "Great Migration." This was when many Black people moved from farms and small towns in the American South to big cities like Chicago. They moved to find jobs, especially during World War I.

Between 1916 and 1919, more than 50,000 people moved to Chicago, Illinois. This huge move created new businesses and a need for more homes. It also helped Black communities gain more political power.

Life in Chicago During the Great Migration

As more Black people moved to Chicago, they faced challenges. Many moved into neighborhoods like Kenwood, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Grand Boulevard, and Englewood.

Some white residents reacted by trying to limit where Black people could live or go to school. Sadly, some groups even used violence. They attacked Black people on the streets and bombed homes owned by Black families.

By 1919, these attacks were happening daily. When Black people fought back, it led to the July 1919 riots. These riots lasted for 13 days. They resulted in 38 deaths, 537 injuries, and 1,000 Black families losing their homes.

Black Leaders and Politics

During this time, a group of Black politicians, including CCBA members Edward Wright, Oscar DePriest, and Robert R. Jackson, worked to create a strong political presence in their communities.

In 1915, Oscar DePriest was elected as an alderman, which is like a city council member. Robert R. Jackson was also elected to represent his district in the state government.

Historian Christopher Robert Reed called this period a "metamorphosis." He meant that the Black population in Chicago changed from being a small group to a powerful force. This change brought a strong sense of unity among Black people from all walks of life. This unity helped create what was known as the Black Metropolis.

In 1919–20, a book called Black's Blue Book listed many Black-owned businesses. These included banks, real estate offices, doctors, dentists, lawyers, and newspapers. This shows how much the Black community was growing and building its own resources.

Pioneering Black Women in Law

The Cook County Bar Association was home to some of the first Black women in law. Ida Platt, who was the third woman to practice law in the U.S., was a founding member.

Another important figure was Violette Neatley Anderson. She was the first Black woman to speak before the Supreme Court. She served as a vice president of the CCBA from 1920 to 1926.

Important Presidents and Leaders

Many important leaders have guided the Cook County Bar Association. Here are a few of them:

• 1914–18: Edward H. Wright was the first president and a founder. He was the first Black person to hold several important government positions in Illinois and Chicago.
• 1919: Henry M. Porter served as president during the 1919 riots. The CCBA helped many Black people who were wrongly accused during the riots. They worked to prove their innocence and helped them get compensation for damages.
• 1920: James A. Terry worked to build relationships with other bar associations.
• 1920–1926: Violette Neatley Anderson was a vice president. She successfully defended a woman accused of a crime. Because of her success, she became the first woman and first African-American to be an assistant prosecutor in Chicago.
• 1921–22: Richard E. Westbrooks was a founder and a well-known trial lawyer. He helped investigate the 1919 riots and worked to gather evidence against those who harmed Black citizens.
• 1924–25: Champion J. Waring encouraged members to support Albert B. George. George became the first Black judge elected to the Municipal Court. Waring also helped launch the National Bar Association.
• 1926–27: C. Francis Stradford helped increase the number of paid members in the CCBA. He later became president of the National Bar Association.
• 1928–29: A. M. Burroughs created a committee to recommend judicial candidates. He also helped furnish the CCBA's permanent headquarters and organized a ladies auxiliary group. This group, made up of members' wives, helped plan social events.

100th Anniversary

In 2014, the Cook County Bar Association celebrated its 100th anniversary. The theme for this special event was "Destiny in Time." During the celebration, Celestia L. Mays became the new president of the organization.