John Arthur Stokes facts for kids
John Arthur Stokes (born on December 31, 1931) is an American educator who played a very important role in the civil rights movement. This movement was a big effort in the United States to end unfair treatment and segregation against African Americans.
Early Life and Fight for Equality
John Arthur Stokes grew up in Kingsville, Virginia, in a time known as the Jim Crow South. During this period, laws called "Jim Crow laws" made it legal to separate Black and white people in schools, buses, and other public places. This was called segregation.
Stokes attended Robert Russa Moton High School, which was a segregated school just for Black students. He and his classmates noticed that their school was not as good as the schools for white students. It was often old and didn't have enough supplies.
Because of these unfair conditions, John Arthur Stokes bravely organized a student walkout. He and his classmates refused to go back to class until their school was rebuilt and made equal. This act of protest was a big step in the fight for equal education.
After high school, Stokes went to Virginia State University. He then became an educator himself, teaching in Baltimore. He continued to work for fairness and equality throughout his life.
Awards and Recognition
John Arthur Stokes received several important awards for his dedication and work. These awards recognized his efforts in education and his contributions to the civil rights movement.
He was honored with:
- The Dr. Charles Hamilton Houston Award
- The A. Leon Higginbotham Award
- The United States Department of Justice Award
- The N.E.A. Award (National Education Association Award)
These awards show how much his work was valued and how he helped make a difference for many people.
