Ozell Sutton facts for kids

Ozell Sutton (born December 13, 1925 – died December 19, 2015) was an important American leader and activist. He was one of the very first Black Americans to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Sutton dedicated his life to fighting for equal rights and helping people.

Early Life and Education

Ozell Sutton was born in a small town called Gould, in Lincoln County, Arkansas. His family later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he went to Dunbar High School. After high school, he attended Philander Smith College, earning his degree in 1950. Sutton also worked at a local newspaper, the Little Rock Democrat. Because of his strong efforts in the Civil Rights Movement, Philander Smith College gave him a special honorary doctorate degree in 1962.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Ozell Sutton was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, a time when many people worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for all. He marched alongside the famous leader Martin Luther King Jr.. In 1963, Sutton was part of the historic March on Washington D.C., where Dr. King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Two years later, in 1965, Sutton also participated in the important Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama, which helped bring about new laws to protect voting rights.

Public Service and Leadership

Sutton held many important roles throughout his life. He worked for Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller as the director of the Governor's Council on Human Resources. This council worked to improve conditions for people in the state. He also helped start the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an organization that helps find missing children and protects them from harm. Later, Sutton moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked for the United States Department of Justice Community Relations Service. This service helps communities deal with conflicts and improve relationships between different groups of people.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Ozell Sutton was also the 26th General President of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. A fraternity is a social and service organization, often for college students, that focuses on brotherhood and community work. As president, Sutton was recognized as one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine.

Honored for His Service

In 2012, Ozell Sutton received a very special award: the Congressional Gold Medal. This medal is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive in the United States. It was presented to him by President Barack Obama. Sutton received this award for his brave service as one of the first Black members of the U.S. Marine Corps. He passed away in Atlanta on December 19, 2015, at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy of courage and dedication to justice.