Maynard Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maynard Jackson
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| 54th and 56th Mayor of Atlanta | |
| In office 1974–1982 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Massell |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Young |
| In office 1990–1994 |
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| Preceded by | Andrew Young |
| Succeeded by | Bill Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr.
March 23, 1938 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | June 23, 2003 (aged 65) Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oakland Cemetery (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater |
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| Profession | |
Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. (born March 23, 1938 – died June 23, 2003) was an American politician and lawyer from Georgia. He was a member of the Democratic Party. In 1973, at 35 years old, he made history by becoming the first black mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. He was also the first black mayor of any major city in the Southern United States.
Jackson served three terms as mayor: from 1974 to 1982, and again from 1990 to 1994. This made him the second longest-serving mayor of Atlanta. He was known for big public projects, like the new international terminal at the Atlanta airport. He also worked hard to help businesses owned by minorities get more opportunities in the city. After he passed away, the William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport was renamed Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honor his important work.
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Early Life and Family Background
Maynard Jackson grew up in a family that believed strongly in education and fighting for civil rights. His grandfather, John Wesley Dobbs, was a famous civil rights leader. Dobbs helped end the "white primary" voting system in Georgia, which stopped black people from voting in important elections. He also helped get black police officers hired in Atlanta.
Maynard's mother, Irene Dobbs Jackson, was one of six sisters. All of them graduated from Spelman College, a college for women. Irene earned a special degree in France and became a French professor at Spelman.
His father, Maynard Holbrook Jackson, was a Baptist minister from New Orleans. He was also involved in civil rights in Dallas, where he grew up. Maynard's father died when Maynard was fifteen. After this, his grandfather Dobbs became an even more important person in his life.
Jackson went to David T. Howard High School in Atlanta. He then attended Morehouse College, a college for black men in Atlanta, graduating at just eighteen years old in 1956. He loved to sing and was part of the Morehouse College Glee Club. After trying law school at Boston University, he worked different jobs, including selling encyclopedias. He later went back to school and earned a law degree from North Carolina Central University in 1964.
Personal Life and Family
Maynard Jackson married Burnella "Bunnie" Hayes in 1965. They had three children together: Elizabeth, Brooke, and Maynard III. Bunnie Jackson started her own public relations company in Atlanta. They later divorced.
In 1977, Jackson married Valerie Richardson. They were married for 25 years until his death. They had two daughters, Valerie and Alexandra. Valerie Jackson hosts a radio show called Between the Lines on WABE-FM in Atlanta.
Beginning His Career in Politics
After becoming a lawyer, Jackson worked for the National Labor Relations Board. This government agency helps workers and businesses. He then joined the Democratic Party.
In 1968, when Jackson was 30, he ran for the U.S. Senate. He didn't win, but he gained a lot of support in Atlanta. This helped him become well-known in the city. The next year, he was elected as vice mayor of Atlanta. At that time, Atlanta changed its city rules, making the mayor's job more powerful. The vice mayor's job was renamed "president of the city council."
In 1970, Jackson became Atlanta's first black Vice-Mayor. He held this position for four years. During this time, he supported sanitation workers who were on strike. His support helped them get better pay.
Mayor of Atlanta
In 1973, Maynard Jackson was elected mayor of Atlanta with 60 percent of the votes. He was the first African-American mayor of Atlanta and the first in any major Southern city. He was only 35 years old when he won, beating the current mayor, Sam Massell.
During his first term, Jackson worked to improve relationships between different racial groups in Atlanta. He started many large public projects for the city. He made sure that businesses owned by minorities and women had a fair chance to work on these projects. He also helped upgrade the Atlanta airport's main terminal to modern standards. Jackson was against building new freeways through neighborhoods, because he knew it would harm communities.
In 1977, there was a strike by sanitation workers in Atlanta. Jackson fired over 900 of these workers. Many of them returned to work later that year.
Jackson was mayor when the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) received a lot of money from the government. This money was used to build a rail-line system. Construction began, and MARTA started its first train service in 1979. The system continued to grow during his time as mayor.
As mayor, Jackson celebrated in September 1990 when Atlanta was chosen to host the 1996 Summer Olympics. He even accepted the Olympic flag at the closing ceremonies in Barcelona in 1992. He oversaw the completion of many projects, like improvements to freeways and parks, to get the city ready for the Olympic Games in 1996.
During his second term as mayor, the Atlanta child murders happened between 1979 and 1981. Jackson supported the Atlanta Police and other police forces. He also worked to keep the public calm during this difficult time. The person accused of the killings, Wayne Williams, was caught in 1981. Williams was found guilty of murdering two adult men.
In 1974, Jackson received the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under. This award recognizes young people who do great things for the public.
Later Political Work
After leaving office as mayor, Jackson continued to be active in the Democratic Party. In 2001, he tried to become the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, but he did not win.
Jackson was appointed as the National Development Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He also became the first Chairman of the DNC Voting Rights Institute, which works to protect voting rights. In 2002, he started the American Voters League. This group works to encourage more people to vote across the country.
Legacy and Honors
Maynard Jackson is remembered for his important contributions to Atlanta and the nation.
- In 2008, the Southside Comprehensive High School was renamed the Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School.
- In 2003, his name was added to the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. In 2012, the airport's new international terminal was named after him.
- A documentary film about his life called Maynard was released in 2017.
Death
Maynard Jackson passed away in 2003 at the age of 65. He died from a cardiac arrest (heart attack) at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. He had suffered the heart attack at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. His body is buried at the Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta.
