Joseph Robert Booker facts for kids
Joseph Robert Booker was an important African-American leader who fought for equal rights. He was born in Helena, Arkansas, on September 19, 1893.
His father, Rev. Joseph A. Booker, was the president of Arkansas Baptist College for many years. Joseph Robert Booker followed in his father's footsteps, graduating from that college in 1914. He then went on to earn his law degree from Northwestern University in 1917. After finishing his studies, he returned to Little Rock to start his career as a lawyer. He also served in the Army during World War I.
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Fighting for Justice
Joseph Booker worked hard to make things fair for African Americans. He teamed up with another lawyer named Scipio Jones. Together, they helped 12 African-American people who had been wrongly sentenced to death after problems in Elaine, Arkansas in 1919. Their work helped these individuals get a fair chance.
Booker was also one of the first members of the NAACP in Arkansas. This group works to protect the rights of African Americans. He joined the Arkansas branch of the NAACP in 1924.
Voting Rights for All
In 1930, Joseph Booker and his brother, William A. Booker, had their own law firm called Booker & Booker. They joined forces with Scipio Jones and J.A. Hibbler. They took legal action against the Little Rock Democratic Central Committee. Their goal was to make sure African Americans had the right to vote in important elections called Democratic primaries. This was a big step in the fight for equal voting rights.
Equal Pay for Teachers
Booker continued his fight for fairness in education. In 1942, he worked with Scipio Jones, J.A. Hibbler, and the NAACP again. This time, they had the help of a famous lawyer named Thurgood Marshall. They sued the Little Rock School District. They wanted to make sure that African-American teachers were paid the same as white teachers. This case was very important for equal pay in schools.
Supporting Students and Teachers
Joseph Booker also helped a young African-American man in 1946. This student wanted to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law. At that time, the school did not accept black students. Booker contacted the university to help the student. He also took legal action in 1959 against a state law that made teachers list all the groups they belonged to. He believed teachers should have privacy. During the 1950s, Booker was a "cooperating attorney" with the NAACP. This meant he helped with at least five other important cases in his local area.
Other Contributions
From 1949 to 1950, Joseph Booker served as the president of the National Bar Association. This is a group for African-American lawyers. He was also chosen as an alternate delegate for Arkansas at the Republican National Convention in 1944 and 1948. This shows his involvement in national politics. Joseph Robert Booker passed away on July 31, 1960.
See also
- Booker Arts and Science Magnet Elementary School
