Ida B. Kinney facts for kids

Ida B. Kinney (born Ida Ford; May 25, 1904 – January 1, 2009) was an African-American civil rights activist. She worked hard to make life fairer for everyone.

Ida's Early Life and Education

Ida Ford was born in Lafayette County, Arkansas. Her grandparents, James T. and Anna Mariah White, had been slaves. They bought their freedom by selling cotton. They taught Ida important lessons about life and putting God first.

In the early 1900s, many women were not allowed to read or write. Young Ida taught her grandmother to read and write using the Bible.

In 1920, when Ida was 16, she moved to California. She lived in Santa Monica with her mother and finished Santa Monica High School. She then went to Philander Smith College in Arkansas for one year.

Ida continued her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. There, she met her first husband, Carl Binion. He sadly passed away ten years later from an injury he got in World War I. In 1940, Ida moved to the San Fernando Valley. She went back to school and earned her bachelor's degree from what is now California State University, Northridge.

Ida's Fight for Fairness and Her Career

Ida Kinney wanted to be a teacher, but she was not given a teaching license. She protested and asked the California governor, Pat Brown, for help. Because of her efforts, the governor ordered that she receive her teaching license within ten days!

This event started her 84-year journey for civil rights. She took part in many marches and protests. She worked with famous civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Medger Evers.

In December 1942, Ida became an early member of the Great Community Missionary Baptist Church in Pacoima. In 1952, she married Perry Kinney. They were married for over 50 years until he passed away in 2004 at the age of 104.

Ida was an elementary school teacher. She first worked as a substitute in Ken County. Later, she taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She also helped Black women get access to the hospital in Van Nuys, California. She even helped start the Head Start Program, which helps young children from low-income families.

Ida was one of the first Black people to work at Lockheed Aerospace. She worked hard to make sure Black workers could join the union. Her efforts helped open doors for many others.

She was chosen to be on the commission for aging for Los Angeles County. She served for 12 years. She was a leader in creating a center for seniors in the Valley. Former Councilman Howard Finn said Ida was key to building the senior center that opened in 1971 in Pacoima. She also played a big part in developing the Boys & Girls Club in Pacoima.

The NAACP honored Ida on her 100th birthday. She had been a member of the organization since May 1955. This special honor led to a U.S. postal stamp being made in her honor.

Ida's Passing

Ida B. Kinney passed away in Lake View Terrace, California. She was 104 years old.

See also

• Lists of centenarians
• List of University of California, Los Angeles people