James E. Stewart (civil rights leader) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James E. Stewart
Born	September 16, 1912 Plano, Collin County, Texas, United States of America
Died	April 13, 1997 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States of America
Occupation	Civil rights leader, business executive
Office	President of Oklahoma City NAACP Chapter
Term	1942-1959

James Edward Stewart, Sr. was an important American leader. He worked for civil rights and was also a business executive. He was very active in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Stewart was a key person in helping to end segregation. Segregation was when people of different races were kept separate. He helped start integration, which means bringing people together, in Oklahoma during the 20th century.

Early Life and Education

James Stewart was born in Plano, Texas on September 16, 1912. His family moved to Oklahoma City in 1916. Stewart's father, Zena Thomas Stewart, died in 1920. His mother, Mary Magdeline Fegalee Stewart, had to support the family. She earned only 35 cents per day. Stewart went to Douglass High School in Oklahoma City. He was friends with another student there, Ralph Ellison. Stewart later graduated from Wichita North High School.

Stewart's Career Journey

Working at Oklahoma Natural Gas

Stewart started working as a janitor for Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) in June 1937. In September 1940, he was chosen to be the manager of the Eastside ONG Office in Oklahoma City. This was a big step for him. Stewart retired from ONG in 1977 when he was 65 years old. After retiring, he spent his time focusing on civil rights. He used his experience from ONG and the NAACP to help write the NAACP Energy Statement in 1978. This statement suggested ways to solve the American energy crisis.

Writing for The Black Dispatch

Stewart was good friends with Roscoe Dunjee. Dunjee was the founder and editor of The Black Dispatch newspaper. Stewart often got advice from him. In 1939, Stewart started writing a regular column for the paper called “Jimmy Says.” In his column, he wrote about social and political events in Oklahoma City. He especially focused on events happening on the east side of the city. Stewart later became an editorial writer for the newspaper.

Serving in the Military

Stewart volunteered to join the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. His acceptance was delayed because his column in The Black Dispatch had caused him to be seen as a "troublemaker." When the Marines accepted him in 1942, he joined the 51st Defense Battalion. This was the first black battalion in the Marines. While in the Marines, Stewart became a Steward First Class. He was honorably discharged, meaning he left with a good record, on December 6, 1945.

Leading Civil Rights Efforts

Stewart was very active in the civil rights movement. He worked on these issues from the 1930s until he passed away. Throughout his life, Stewart held leadership roles in more than 25 organizations. These included the Citizens' Chamber of Commerce, the Governor of Oklahoma's Energy Committee, and the United Way of Oklahoma City. He also worked with the YMCA, the Langston University Alumni Association, and the University of Oklahoma Foundation.

Working with the NAACP

Stewart joined the local Oklahoma City NAACP Chapter in the 1930s. He served on several committees. Roscoe Dunjee suggested him for vice-president of the OKC Chapter in January 1942. A month later, the chapter president left suddenly. Stewart then became president at Dunjee's request. He left the position when he joined the Marines. But he was re-elected President of the Oklahoma City NAACP Chapter when he returned.

As president, he worked to make sure black people had equal job opportunities. He started by writing letters to open the local postal service to black employees. Stewart helped black people get jobs in many places where they had been turned down before. He also helped them move up in their jobs, like at Tinker Air Force Base.

Stewart was president of the OKC Chapter of the NAACP until 1957. During this time, he helped end the segregation of schools. He especially worked on integrating the University of Oklahoma. He worked with Thurgood Marshall and others. They helped Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher become the first black law student to attend. They also helped Prentice Gautt become the first black athlete to attend.

Stewart also had important roles at the national level of the NAACP. In 1947, he and other leaders created a plan for regional offices. This would help manage the organization better. In 1948, the plan was approved. Stewart was chosen to be on the board of directors for the Southwest Region. He held this role for 24 years. In 1952, Oklahoma City hosted the NAACP National Convention. This happened because Stewart convinced the National Board. Stewart organized the conference with other local NAACP officials. About 2,000 people attended.

In 1958, Stewart helped Clara Luper. She was an advisor to the local NAACP Youth Council. They organized several sit-in protests. These protests were against segregated lunch counters in Oklahoma. The first sit-in happened on August 19 at Katz Drug in Oklahoma City.

Stewart also helped with the housing crisis in Oklahoma City. He worked with the Urban Renewal Authority. Their plan was to fix up old, run-down homes owned by poor black families. The plan included over 3,000 buildings for repair. It also offered grants and low-interest loans. Stewart made sure that the people affected by the plan were part of the discussions.

Starting Oklahomans for Progress

In the early 1960s, Stewart started a new group called "Oklahomans for Progress." This was after he finished his time as president of the OKC Chapter of the NAACP. He was still on the National Board of the NAACP. This new group was meant to bring together leaders from both black and white organizations. Its goal was to coordinate efforts on race issues in Oklahoma.

Personal Life

In 1932, Stewart married Mae Belle Hayes. They had a son named Don Gilbert Stewart. The couple divorced in 1934. On May 12, 1942, Stewart married Mae Lois Layne. They had a son and a daughter, James Edward Stewart Jr. and Zandra Jean Stewart.

Death and Lasting Impact

James E. Stewart passed away on April 13, 1997, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. People remembered Stewart for his ability to work with almost anyone. This was true no matter their religion, race, or political beliefs. He was also known for always standing up for what he believed was right. He did this in a way that earned respect from others.

He was honored in many ways for his work. He was inducted into the Afro-American Hall of Fame in Oklahoma in 1983. He also joined the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1986. In 1997, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. The James E. Stewart Golf Course is named after him. The former James E. Stewart Training Center and the James E. Stewart Industrial Park also carry his name. The American Association of Blacks in Energy's (AABE) yearly award for excellent service is named for Stewart.

Awards and Honors

• Service to Mankind Award from the Oklahoma City Downtown Sertoma Club (1975)
• Golden Plate Award from the NAACP (1976)
• Pathmaker Award from the Oklahoma County Historical Society (1994)