Flossie Bailey facts for kids

Katherine "Flossie" Bailey (born 1895, died 1952) was an important activist who fought for civil rights and against lynching in Indiana. She helped start a local group of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Marion, Indiana, in 1918.

Flossie became very active in fighting for fairness and equality after two men, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith, were lynched in 1930. As the leader of the Indiana NAACP, Bailey was key in getting a statewide law against lynching passed in Indiana in 1931. She also pushed for a similar law across the country. The national NAACP honored her with the Madam C. J. Walker Medal for her hard work.

Early Life and Family

Katherine Harvey was born in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1895. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harvey. Everyone knew her as "Flossie." She grew up in Kokomo and went to Kokomo High School.

In 1917, Flossie married Walter T. Bailey, who was a doctor. They lived in Marion, Indiana. Their only child was a son named Walter Charles Bailey. Flossie was also an active member of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Marion.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Flossie Bailey spent her adult life working for equality and justice. She was a dedicated civil rights activist.

Starting the NAACP in Marion

In 1918, Bailey started the Marion branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). At first, not many people joined. In June 1930, there were 96 members. However, after a terrible event in Marion in August 1930, more people joined. By the end of 1930, the local group had 155 members.

The Marion Lynching and Its Impact

On August 7, 1930, a mob broke into the Grant County, Indiana, jail in Marion. They took two African-American men, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith. The mob then killed them in the Courthouse Square. This terrible act is called a lynching, which is when a mob illegally kills someone, often by hanging, without a trial.

Bailey, who was the president of the local NAACP, tried to get police to protect the men in jail. After the lynching, she worked hard to organize a group of NAACP members. They went to speak with Indiana Governor Harry Leslie. They wanted him to help investigate the murders of Shipp and Smith.

Seeking Justice and Change

Bailey and others worked tirelessly to get a fair investigation into the double lynching. Some people in Marion wanted to forget what happened. But Bailey and the NAACP played a big role in seeking justice for the murders. They also worked to bring peace back to Marion. Two men were accused and went to trial for the lynching. However, neither was found guilty, and no one was ever punished for the deaths of Shipp and Smith.

In 1930, Bailey was chosen to be the president of the Indiana NAACP. She helped plan its second yearly meeting. Her home in Marion became the main office for the Indiana NAACP. The national NAACP recognized Bailey's efforts. They gave her the Madam C. J. Walker Medal for doing "the best work in the NAACP during the year."

New Laws and National Efforts

Bailey wanted to make sure that a lynching like the one in Marion would never happen again. She spoke to the Indiana General Assembly, which is Indiana's state legislature. She asked them to pass stronger laws against lynching. When some people opposed the new safety measures, Bailey organized a statewide effort. She asked NAACP groups, Optimist Clubs, Exchange Clubs, and Democratic groups to talk to their state lawmakers.

Bailey's hard work paid off. The governor signed a stricter anti-lynching law in March 1931. Once the Indiana law was passed, Bailey started working for a national anti-lynching law. She also fought for fair treatment for African Americans in other parts of American life. Bailey especially focused on ending segregation. This meant fighting to make sure schools, hospitals, and public places like movie theaters were open to everyone, no matter their race.

Later Years and Legacy

Bailey and the NAACP faced challenges during the Great Depression. Around 1940, her husband, who had a stroke, closed his medical practice. The couple then moved to Indianapolis.

Katherine Bailey passed away in Indianapolis on February 6, 1952. As a leader and president of the Indiana NAACP in the 1930s, her work helped build a strong foundation. This foundation was very important for the civil rights movement that grew in the 1950s.