Faya Ora Rose Touré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Faya Ora Rose Touré
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Faya Ora Rose Touré in March 2021
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Rose M. Gaines
May 20, 1945 Salisbury, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Spouse | Hank Sanders |
| Occupation | Attorney, judge, activist |
Faya Ora Rose Touré, born Rose M. Gaines, (born May 20, 1945) is an American civil rights activist and lawyer. She made history as Alabama’s first Black woman judge. Her husband is Henry Sanders, who is a politician.
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About Faya Ora Rose Touré
Early Life and Education
Faya Ora Rose Touré was born on May 20, 1945. Her parents were Rev. D. A. Gaines and Ora Lee Gaines. She grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina. She finished George Clem High School in 1962.
She then went to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated in 1966 with very high honors (summa cum laude). After that, she studied law at Harvard Law School. She earned her law degree in 1969.
Her Name and Family
Faya Ora Rose Touré was born as Rose Gaines. In 2002, she chose a new name, Faya Ora Rose Touré. She picked "Touré" to honor Ahmed Sékou Touré. He was the first President of Guinea, a country in Africa.
She is married to Alabama State Senator Henry Sanders. They have three children of their own. They also have four foster children, whom they have cared for.
Creative Work
Besides her legal work, Faya Ora Rose Touré is also a talented artist. She writes songs and plays. She created a popular gospel song called "I'm Gonna Lift My Sister Up." She also hosts a weekly radio show called "Faya's Fire."
Working for Civil Rights
After law school, Touré began working to help people. She worked for groups like the National Welfare Rights Organization. She also worked at the Columbia Center on Social Welfare Policy and Law. Later, she joined the Legal Services Corporation.
She then helped start her own law firm. It was called Chestnut, Sanders, Sanders, Pettaway & Campbell, LLC.
Important Cases
Touré worked on many important civil rights cases. These cases aimed to make sure everyone had fair treatment. One of her biggest cases was called Pigford v. Veneman. This was the largest civil rights case in history.
In this case, she helped Black farmers. They had been treated unfairly by the United States Department of Agriculture. Touré helped them win over $1 billion in damages. This money helped the farmers get back what they had lost.
In 1982, her law firm studied how Black Americans were losing their land. They documented this land loss for the Department of Agriculture.
Founding Organizations
Touré also started many important organizations. These groups help people and teach about history:
- The National Voting Rights Museum: This museum teaches about the fight for voting rights.
- The McRae Learning Center: This center helps people learn and grow.
- The Ancient Africa, Slavery and Civil War Museum: This museum shares history about Africa, slavery, and the Civil War.
- The Bridge Crossing Jubilee: This event remembers the historic marches for civil rights in Selma, Alabama.
- The 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement: This group helps young people become leaders.
- The Black Belt Arts and Cultural Center: This center celebrates art and culture in the Black Belt region of Alabama.
Judicial Career
In 1973, Faya Ora Rose Touré made history. She was appointed as a municipal judge. This made her the first African-American woman judge in Alabama. She served in this important role until 1977.
See also
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Alabama
- List of African-American jurists
