Joanne Grant facts for kids

Joanne Grant (born March 30, 1930 – died January 9, 2005) was an African-American journalist. She was also an activist who worked for social change. Grant reported for a newspaper called the National Guardian. She wrote about the Civil Rights Movement in the southern parts of the United States during the 1960s. She wrote three books about this important time. Grant also directed a movie about a famous civil rights leader named Ella Baker. Her book, Black Protest, published in 1968, is still an important book for learning about African-American history.

Early Life and Education

Joanne Grant was born on March 30, 1930, in Utica, New York. Her father was white and her mother was of mixed race.

Grant went to Syracuse University. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism there. This means she studied how to be a reporter and writer.

Journalism and Activism

Grant started her career working in public relations in New York City. She also traveled a lot. In 1957, she went to a big youth festival in Moscow, Soviet Union (now Russia). About 140 other Americans were there with her.

She also visited China with 56 other Americans. This was special because at that time, U.S. citizens were not usually allowed to visit China. Grant also traveled to India, Africa, and Cuba.

When she came back to New York City, she worked as an assistant to W. E. B. Du Bois. He was a very important leader in the Civil Rights Movement. On February 3, 1960, she was mentioned to the House Un-American Activities Committee. This committee looked into people they thought might be involved in un-American activities.

Reporting on Civil Rights

In the 1960s, Grant became a reporter for the National Guardian. This was a newspaper that supported big social changes. She reported on the American Civil Rights Movement. She wrote about her experiences meeting Black people in small towns. These towns were in states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. She also wrote about lynching, which was a terrible act of violence against Black people in the American South.

During this time, Grant also became a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). This was a very important group led by students who worked for civil rights using peaceful protests.

Film and Books

In 1965, Grant worked as the news director for WBAI. This was a radio station that also supported social change.

Later, in 1981, she wrote, directed, and produced a documentary film. It was called Fundi: The Story of Ella Baker. This movie was about the life of civil rights leader Ella Baker. The famous actor Harry Belafonte was the narrator for the film. It was shown on PBS television and at the London Film Festival.

Joanne Grant wrote three books about the Civil Rights Movement:

• Her first book, Black Protest, came out in 1968. It became a very important book. The Los Angeles Times newspaper said it was "required reading" for many classes about African-American history.
• Her second book, Confrontation on Campus, was published in 1969. It was about the student protests at Columbia University in 1968.
• Her third book, Ella Baker: Freedom Bound, was a biography. It told the life story of Ella Baker.

Family Life and Legacy

Joanne Grant married Victor Rabinowitz. He was the son of a businessman and helper of good causes, Louis M. Rabinowitz. Joanne and Victor had two children, a son named Mark and a daughter named Abby.

Joanne Grant passed away on January 9, 2005, in Manhattan, New York City. She was 74 years old. Her important papers and writings are kept at the Columbia University Library. They help people learn more about her life and work.