Norvel Lee facts for kids
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| Born | September 22, 1924 Eagle Rock, Virginia |
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Norvel L. R. Lee (born September 22, 1924, in Eagle Rock, Virginia – died August 19, 1992, in Bethesda, Maryland) was an amazing American. He was an amateur boxer who won an Olympic gold medal. He was also a brave Tuskegee Airman during World War II, a smart scholar and teacher, and a helpful mentor for young people.
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Early Life and School
Norvel LaFollette Ray Lee was born on September 22, 1924. His hometown was Eagle Rock, Virginia, a small place in Botetourt County, Virginia. He had three siblings: a sister named Edna Mae and two brothers, James Fitzhugh and George Edward.
Norvel went to schools in Virginia where Black students were kept separate from white students. He finished high school at the Academy Hill School for Negroes. He was also a member of the Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Military Service
In 1943, Norvel Lee was chosen to join the Tuskegee flight training program. This was a special program for African American pilots during World War II. He learned to fly and earned his pilot's wings. However, he was not assigned to a flying squadron. Instead, he worked on a ground crew in the South Pacific at the end of the war.
Later, while studying at Howard University, he joined the ROTC program. This prepared him to become an officer in the Air Force Reserve. He rose through the ranks and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served at different Air Force bases, including Andrews Air Force Base.
Norvel's Education
Norvel Lee was dedicated to learning. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Howard University. He later received a Master of Arts Degree in Adult Education from Federal City College. This school is now known as the University of the District of Columbia. He also studied at Catholic University. All these universities are in Washington, D.C..
Boxing Career
Norvel Lee started boxing when he was a student at Howard University. He was so good that he joined the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team for the London Olympics in 1948.
He won many championships, including:
- The central division Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship in 1949 and 1950.
- The National AAU crown in 1950 and 1951.
- The New York City Golden Gloves championship.
- The Chicago Golden Gloves title.
In 1951, he also competed in the Pan American Games in Argentina.
Olympic Gold Medal
The biggest moment in his boxing career came in 1952. At the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, he won the gold medal for the light-heavyweight boxing class! He was also given the Val Barker Trophy, which is awarded to the best boxer at the Olympic Games.
The U.S. boxing team did very well in Helsinki, winning five gold medals. Norvel even helped mentor a young boxer named Floyd Patterson, who was only seventeen at the time.
Norvel Lee boxed again in 1955 at the Pan American Games in Mexico City, where he won a bronze medal. He was offered many chances to become a professional boxer, but he always said no. He ended his amateur boxing career with an amazing record of 100 wins and only 5 losses.
After he stopped boxing, Norvel stayed involved in the sport. He was a member of the District of Columbia Boxing Commission for ten years and even served as its Chairman for six years. In 1964, he traveled to Gambia and Mali in Africa. He went as a goodwill ambassador to teach boxing in summer training programs.
Fighting for Civil Rights
In 1948, after returning from the Olympics, Norvel Lee faced a difficult situation. He was on a train heading home to Eagle Rock. He sat in a section of the train that was only for white passengers. At that time, unfair laws called Jim Crow laws made Black and white people use separate facilities. Norvel refused to move from his seat.
He was arrested for breaking these laws. The NAACP, a group that fights for civil rights, helped him by paying his bail. He was found guilty and had to pay a small fine.
Norvel did not give up. He appealed his case to a higher court and then to the Virginia State Supreme Court. In 1949, he won his case! The court overturned the earlier decision. This was a very important victory that helped challenge unfair segregation laws.
Personal Life and Career
On June 22, 1951, Norvel Lee married Leslie Ellen Jackson. They had two daughters, Deborah Louise and Denise Kay.
Norvel had a long and successful career outside of boxing. He started as a teacher and counselor. He then held many important jobs in government and education. He was a Director of Education, a Director of Training, and a Coordinator of Adult and Community Education. He also worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Later Years and Passing
Norvel Lee retired in 1991 after 36 years of working for the government. Throughout his life, he was involved in many community activities. He was president of several organizations, including the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association and the National Capital Child Day Care Association. He was also listed in "Who's Who Among Black Americans."
Norvel L. R. Lee passed away on August 19, 1992. He died from pancreatic cancer at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland.
