Irene McCoy Gaines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irene McCoy Gaines
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Irene McCoy Gaines
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| Born |
Irene Luberta McCoy
October 25, 1892 Ocala, Florida, U.S.
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| Died | April 7, 1964 (aged 71) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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| Occupation | Social worker, civic leader, Republican Party activist |
| Political party | Republican |
Irene McCoy Gaines (born October 25, 1892 – died April 7, 1964) was an important American social worker. She was also a civil rights activist. This means she worked hard to make sure all people had equal rights. She spent her whole life fighting against segregation, which is when people are kept apart because of their race.
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Early Life and Education
Irene McCoy Gaines was born on October 25, 1892. She was born in Ocala, Florida. However, she grew up in the big city of Chicago.
After finishing her studies at Fisk Normal School, she started her first job. In October 1913, she became a stenographer at a juvenile court. A stenographer takes notes quickly, often using shorthand.
In 1914, she married Harris B. Gaines. She also continued her education. She took special courses in social work and law. She studied these subjects at the University of Chicago.
In 1918, Irene became an employment counselor. She worked for the Chicago Urban League. This group helped African Americans find better living and working conditions. In 1919, she helped organize a program for young women. She worked to improve living conditions and opportunities for black women.
Fighting for Equal Rights
In the 1930s, Irene McCoy Gaines worked as a social worker. During this time, her sons were in school. She noticed that schools for black children in Chicago were not as good. They had fewer resources and worse conditions.
She decided to work to make things better. She joined the Citizen's Advisory Committee. She also became a member of the Chicago Council of Negro Organizations. She was the president of this council for 14 years. This was from 1939 to 1953.
Irene also joined the Theosophical Society. This was a group that believed in common humanity for all. Through this group, she made friends with people of different races. In 1931, she led the interracial committee of the Chicago Women's Club.
Standing Up for Women of Color
Later in her life, Irene became even more involved in politics. She focused on issues that affected African-American women. She was the first African American woman to run for a state lawmaking position in Illinois. She also ran for a county commissioner's job.
In 1947, Irene McCoy Gaines spoke at the United Nations. She talked about the unfair treatment and challenges faced by women of color in the United States.
From 1952 to 1958, Gaines was the president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. This was a very important role.
Awards and Achievements
Irene received many awards for her hard work. In 1958, she got the George Washington Honor Medal. The next year, in 1959, she received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Fisk University.
She also received a large award of $50,000 from the Sears Foundation. This money was for improving neighborhoods. The National Association of Colored Women's Clubs believed she was the best person to receive this grant. They knew she would use it to make real changes. This was because she cared deeply about housing issues in many communities.
Irene always looked for new opportunities for her race. She especially wanted to help younger generations and women of color. She even made plans that went beyond Chicago. She wanted people across the country to have the same chances she was creating.
Irene McCoy Gaines passed away from cancer on April 7, 1964, in Chicago.
