Jane Morrow Spaulding facts for kids

Jane Morrow Spaulding (1900 – 10 September 1965) was an important American social worker. She was the first African American Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She was also the first African American woman to be an assistant secretary in a U.S. President's cabinet.

Life Story

Jane was born in Logan County, Kentucky. She grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. She went to college at Fisk University.

She married Dr. Albert Lee Spaulding. They had one child, Dr. Albert L. Spaulding Jr. Jane Spaulding passed away in 1965 from a stroke.

Her Career

Jane Spaulding was a very active and well-known social worker in the United States. She helped many people throughout her career.

Helping Communities

Spaulding became involved with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's government. She led the "Negro Division" of the West Virginia Relief Administration for four years. This program helped rural communities. It gave them economic and educational support.

The program also provided scholarships. Five students from West Virginia State College got to study social work. After graduating, they were expected to return to West Virginia. Their job was to create and run social welfare programs in African American communities. In 1934, Spaulding was chosen as vice president of the Central Association of Colored Women's Clubs.

International and Political Work

In 1951, she represented the United States. She attended the Triennial International Council of Women. This was a meeting of women's groups from around the world. That same year, she worked with the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations.

In 1952, she helped with the election campaign for Dwight D. Eisenhower. She worked to get African American votes. She told voters about the Republican party's plans for civil rights. She was very good at getting support from African Americans across the country.

High-Level Appointments

In 1952, Spaulding made history. She became the first African American woman to be an assistant secretary in a U.S. President's cabinet. She worked as an assistant to Mrs. Oswald B. Lord. Mrs. Lord was a co-chair for "Citizens for Eisenhower."

In 1953, President Eisenhower specially appointed her. She became Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. At that time, she was the highest-paid African American working for the U.S. government.

Standing Up for What's Right

After nine months, she left her position as Assistant Secretary. This happened because she refused to support unfair laws. These laws were known as Jim Crow laws.

Spaulding was asked to sign a letter. This letter would have said that a government official was not delaying school integration. But Spaulding refused to sign it. Instead, she gave speeches against discrimination. She also supported the NAACP. This group wanted a Houston hospital to recognize African American doctors.

She then moved to the War Claims Commission. Some people, like NAACP director Clarence Mitchell, thought this was a way to eventually fire her. However, in 1954, she received a third appointment. President Eisenhower appointed her as a consultant with the Foreign Operations Administration.

Awards and Honors

Spaulding received several honors for her work. In 1953, the National Council of Negro Women named her Woman of the Year. In 1955, Ebony magazine named her one of America's ten best-dressed women.