Dan May facts for kids

Dan May (1898–1982) was an important leader in Nashville, Tennessee. He was known for his work in business, education, and helping the community.

Biography

Dan May studied at Vanderbilt University and later served on its board of leaders for many years. He was also very active in many groups that helped the community and schools in Nashville.

May is one of the historic Nashville figures whose faces were created by artist Red Grooms for the Tennessee Foxtrot Carousel in Nashville.

May played a key role in the effort to end segregation (keeping people of different races apart) in Nashville during the 1950s. Author Arthur Hertzberg wrote that Dan May was the head of the school board in 1954. He led a plan to integrate the public schools, one grade at a time. This idea was not popular with everyone, and he faced some challenges because of it.

May became the head of May Hosiery Mills in Nashville after his father, Jacob May, passed away. His father had started the company.

Sam Shankman, who wrote a book about Dan May's brother, summarized Dan May's community work:

• Daniel May worked hard as a modern business leader, mainly managing a large hosiery (sock) factory.
• Even with his busy job, he found time for many activities to help the community.
• During World War II, Daniel May served on the War Production Board, which helped organize factories for the war effort.
• He was a member of the Nashville Board of Education for many years and was its chairman for three years.
• In 1954, he was elected a magistrate (a type of local judge) for Davidson County, Tennessee. He continued to serve in this role.
• As a magistrate, he stayed interested in education. He chaired the school committee of the County Court, which oversees the county school system.
• He was also a member of the Board of Trust for Fisk University for many years.
• He served as a Trustee of Vanderbilt University, his old college, for over ten years.
• At one point, he was the President of the Nashville Rotary Club. This was the first time a Jewish person held this honor.
• He worked hard to combine the city and county governments. When this plan was approved, he ran for the Metropolitan Council. Out of 89 candidates, he received the most votes for one of the five council seats.
• In the Jewish community, he was president of the Jewish Community Center and the Community Council. He also led the Welfare Fund twice.
• He always cared about improving understanding between different groups in the community. He played a big part in promoting good relationships between different religious and racial groups.
• He was a positive voice for the rights and progress of African Americans in Nashville, helping the city be a leader among Southern communities.