Frankie Muse Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frankie Muse Freeman
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Frankie Muse Freeman in 2013
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Marie Frankie Muse
November 24, 1916 Danville, Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | January 12, 2018 (aged 101) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Organization | NAACP U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Howard University National Urban League Delta Sigma Theta sorority Epsilon Sigma Iota Sorority |
| Movement | Civil Rights Movement |
Marie Frankie Muse Freeman (born November 24, 1916 – died January 12, 2018) was an important American lawyer. She fought for civil rights for many years.
Frankie Muse Freeman was the first woman ever chosen to be part of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This group looks into problems of unfair treatment. She helped create the Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights in 1982. She worked as a lawyer for almost 60 years.
In 2007, Frankie Muse Freeman was honored at the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. This was for her important work in the Civil Rights Movement. In 2015, President Barack Obama asked her to join the Commission on Presidential Scholars.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Frankie Muse Freeman was born in Danville, Virginia. Her parents, William Brown Muse and Maude Beatrice Smith Muse, both went to college. This was special for their time.
When she was 16, Frankie went to Hampton Institute in 1933. Later, in 1944, she studied law at Howard University Law School. She earned her law degree in 1947.
Fighting for Civil Rights
After law school, Frankie Muse Freeman started her own law office in 1948. She took on many different cases, often helping people for free.
In 1949, she began working with the NAACP. This group works to ensure equal rights for all people. She became a lead lawyer for the NAACP.
In 1954, she was the main lawyer in a very important case called Davis et al. v. the St. Louis Housing Authority. This case helped end unfair racial rules in public housing in St. Louis.
Working for the Government
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson chose Frankie Muse Freeman to join the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She was the first African American woman to hold this position. The Senate approved her appointment in September 1964.
She was asked to stay on the commission by other presidents, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. She worked there until 1979.
After this, she served as an Inspector General for the Community Services Administration. This was during President Jimmy Carter's time in office.
Later Years and Legacy
Frankie Muse Freeman returned to St. Louis to practice law. In 1982, she joined other former government officials. They formed the Citizens Commission on Civil Rights. This group worked to stop racial discrimination and fix its harmful effects.
Even at 90 years old, she was still working as a lawyer. She also spent time volunteering, like teaching Sunday school. She worked to help people understand world events better.
In 2003, she wrote a book about her life called A Song of Faith and Hope. She was also the 14th National President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She lived to be 100 years old, celebrating her birthday in November 2016.
Honors and Awards
Frankie Muse Freeman received many awards and honors for her work:
- She earned special honorary degrees from several universities. These included Hampton University and Howard University.
- In 1990, she was added to the National Bar Association's Hall of Fame.
- In 2011, she received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. This is a very high honor.
- In 2014, she got the Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association.
A bronze statue of Frankie Muse Freeman was placed in downtown St. Louis. It was unveiled in November 2017. This statue honors her important contributions to civil rights.
See also
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Missouri
Resources
- Muse Freeman, Frankie. A Song of Faith and Hope: The Life of Frankie Muse Freeman, Missouri Historical Society Press (April 2003) - ISBN: 1-883982-41-3
