Eroseanna Robinson facts for kids

Eroseanna “Sis” Robinson (1924–1976) was an amazing African-American woman. She was a social worker, a talented track athlete, and a brave activist. She was also part of a group called the Peacemakers.

Eroseanna worked hard to end segregation (when people of different races were kept separate). She also protested against the U.S. military in the 1950s and 1960s. She strongly believed in nonviolent resistance. This means protesting peacefully without using violence. Robinson often went on hunger strikes or risked being arrested. But she still won many important victories for equality.

Besides her activism, Robinson was a very successful track runner. Her two passions came together in an interesting way. She was chosen to run for the United States in a track meet against Russia. But she refused to go. She felt she was being used as a "political pawn." This meant she thought her presence would make it seem like white and black people were treated equally in the U.S. This was not true at the time.

Standing Up for What's Right

Fighting for Fair Skating

In 1952, Eroseanna Robinson worked at a community center in Cleveland. She decided to help desegregate a public skating rink called Skateland. She used a peaceful plan. First, she brought children from her center to skate. There were two black children and one white child.

White teenagers at the rink bothered the children. Over the next few days, Robinson returned with friends who supported her. But white customers at Skateland kept tripping and hurting her. At one point, Robinson broke her arm and needed medical help. The rink's managers and security did not help her. But Robinson kept fighting for what was right.

Protesting War with Taxes

In early 1960, Robinson held another peaceful protest. She refused to pay federal taxes. This was her way of showing she did not support the U.S. military. Because she refused to pay taxes, she was sentenced to a year in prison.

Robinson used her time in prison to continue her nonviolent protest. When she was sentenced, she refused to walk into the courtroom. She had to be carried in on a stretcher. Once in prison, she went on a three-month fast. She was force-fed through a tube. She was released nine months before her sentence ended.

Integrating Restaurants

In 1961, Eroseanna Robinson traveled along Route 40 in Maryland. She was with her friends Wally and Juanita Nelson. The three decided to stop for dinner in Elkton, Maryland. But a diner refused to serve them because they were black.

The trio refused to leave until the police came and arrested them. They were taken to county jail. In jail, they refused to appear in court or eat. Local newspapers wrote about their story. They called them the “Elkton Three.” Since the trio would not cooperate, they were given $50 fines and released. Their case started a local movement to end segregation. This movement got the attention of Maryland Governor Millar Tawes. It led to restaurants along Route 40 finally becoming desegregated.

A Lasting Impact

Eroseanna Robinson may not be as well-known as some other civil rights activists. But she was very important in ending segregation in many public places. This happened during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. She is often remembered for her nonviolent methods. These methods were used in sit-ins and other protests throughout the Civil Rights Movement.

Her work to integrate restaurants along Maryland’s Route 40 had a big impact. Foreign diplomats often traveled this road from Washington, D.C. to New York City. In 1958, a politician from Ghana named Komla Gbedema was not served at a Route 40 restaurant. This was very embarrassing for the Eisenhower administration. With the slogan “49 Miles of Highway and No Place to Stop and Eat,” Robinson and others helped integrate these Maryland restaurants. This helped the United States' international reputation.

Robinson also made headlines in African American newspapers during her hunger strikes. These papers praised her strong dedication to achieving racial justice.

Robinson is seen as a hero of the war tax resistance movement. The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee is a group that teaches Americans about their right to refuse to pay taxes for war. They see Robinson as a key figure in their movement.

Social workers have a history of leading social justice movements. This goes back to activists like Robinson. Today, social workers continue this legacy through groups like RISE.