Louis Lautier facts for kids

Louis R. Lautier (1897-1962) was a very important African-American journalist. He made history by being the first Black journalist allowed into two major groups. These were the White House Correspondents' Association in 1951 and the National Press Club in 1955. These groups are for reporters who cover important news in Washington, D.C.

Louis Lautier's Early Life and Education

Louis R. Lautier was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, in 1897. He grew up in New Orleans. He went to several colleges, including Straight College (now Dillard University) and Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also studied law at Howard Law School in Washington.

While studying, he worked for the United States Department of Justice. He was a legal stenographer, which means he took notes very quickly. At the same time, he also started writing for different African-American newspapers. His news stories often talked about segregation. This was a time when Black and white people were kept separate, especially in Washington, D.C., and in the government.

Breaking Barriers in Journalism

In 1945, Lautier became a reporter in Washington for the National Newspaper Publishers Association. This group sent news stories to Black newspapers across the country. He started covering press conferences at the White House. These are meetings where reporters ask questions to important government officials.

However, Lautier faced a big challenge. He could not get a special pass to report from Congress. A group of reporters called the Standing Committee of Correspondents decided who got these passes. They said he couldn't have one because his newspapers were mostly weeklies, not daily papers. Only reporters for daily papers were usually allowed.

Fighting for Access

In 1947, Louis Lautier decided to fight this unfair rule. He took his case to the United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. This committee helps make rules for the Senate. The chairman of the committee, Senator C. Wayland Brooks, heard Lautier's story. He then ordered that Lautier be allowed into the press galleries.

This was a huge victory! Louis Lautier became the first Black reporter to work in the Congressional press galleries since the 1870s. This meant he could report directly from the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Joining Important Press Groups

Lautier continued to break barriers. In 1951, he became a member of the White House Correspondents' Association. This group represents reporters who cover the President and the White House. Two years later, he started attending their yearly dinners.

In 1955, Lautier wanted to join the National Press Club. This was another very important group for journalists. There was a lot of debate among the members about letting him join. So, the club held a secret vote. Lautier was approved by a vote of 377 to 281. This made him the first African-American member of this famous club.

Later Career and Legacy

Louis Lautier retired from the National Newspaper Publishers Association in 1961. After that, he became a special assistant to the chairman of the Republican National Committee. He also wrote a newspaper column called "Looking at the Record." This column was sent to Black newspapers by the Republican Party.

Louis R. Lautier passed away on May 6, 1962, from a heart attack. He is remembered as a brave journalist who helped open doors for other African-American reporters. His work helped make sure that Black voices were heard in important newsrooms.

See also

• National Newspaper Publishers Association