Mollie Moon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mollie Moon
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Mollie Moon, 1956 by Carl Van Vechten
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| Born |
Mollie Lewis
July 21, 1912 Hattiesburg, Mississippi
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| Died | June 22, 1990 (aged 77) New York, New York
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Meharry Medical College |
| Spouse(s) |
Henry Lee Moon
(m. 1938) |
Mollie Moon (born July 21, 1912 – died June 22, 1990) was a very important American leader. She started and led the National Urban League Guild. This group helped raise money for the National Urban League, which worked for racial equality. Mollie Moon was the president of the Guild for nearly 50 years, from when it began until she passed away.
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Mollie Moon's Early Life and Education
Mollie Lewis was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on July 21, 1912. Her parents were Telious and Beulah (Rogers) Lewis. She went to Meharry Medical College to study pharmacy. Pharmacy is the study of how to prepare and give out medicines.
Mollie also continued her education at other places. She studied at the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York. She also attended the New School for Social Research and the University of Berlin in Germany.
Mollie Moon's Career Path
What Was Mollie Moon's Early Career?
Before becoming a famous leader, Mollie Moon worked as a pharmacist. She practiced pharmacy in several different states. Later, she moved to New York City. There, she became a social worker for the Department of Social Services. Social workers help people and families in need.
How Did Mollie Moon Help the National Urban League?
Mollie Moon became a secretary for the board of trustees of the National Urban League. This group works to help African Americans achieve racial equality. In 1942, Mollie Moon started the National Urban League Guild. Her goal was to raise money for the League's programs. These programs helped people get fair chances and improve their lives.
Lester B. Granger, who was the director of the Urban League at the time, asked Mollie to help the League become financially strong. At first, the Guild was an informal group. But it soon became more organized. It created rules and held elections. Mollie Moon was the president of the Guild from its start until she died in 1990.
The Guild's most famous event was its yearly Beaux-Arts Ball. This was a big charity party with a different fun theme each year. The Ball was held in famous places in New York City. It started at the Savoy Ballroom. In 1948, it moved to Rockefeller Center. Then, in 1960, it moved to the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Winthrop Rockefeller, who was also on the Urban League's board, helped Mollie Moon send out invitations for the 1948 event.
What Did Mollie Moon Do Later in Her Career?
From 1972 to 1976, Mollie Moon served on a special council. This council advised the Food and Drug Committee of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
Mollie Moon received many awards for her hard work. She got the Equal Opportunity Award from the National Urban League. She also received the President's Volunteer Action Award from President George H. W. Bush. She also started the Henry Lee Moon Civil Rights Library. This library is in the headquarters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Baltimore. It is named after her husband.
Mollie Moon's Personal Life
In 1938, Mollie Lewis married Henry Lee Moon. He became the public relations director for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP is another important organization that works for civil rights.
Mollie Moon passed away from a heart attack on June 22, 1990. She was at her home in Long Island City, Queens, New York.
