Robert Hayling facts for kids

Robert Bagner Hayling (November 20, 1929 – December 20, 2015) was an American dentist and a brave leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He fought for equal rights for all people.

Early Life and Education

Robert Bagner Hayling was born in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1929. His father, Charles C. Hayling, Sr., worked at Florida A&M University. Robert and his three siblings all went to Florida A&M. They also continued their education after college.

In 1951, Robert joined the United States Air Force. He served for four years. After his service, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, he studied dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1960. While in Nashville, he first joined the fight for civil rights. He took part in marches and sit-ins at lunch counters.

Becoming a Civil Rights Leader

Dr. Hayling opened his dental practice in St. Augustine, Florida. He became the first African-American dentist elected to dental associations at local, regional, and national levels. He quickly became involved in the growing civil rights movement. He became a trusted adult advisor for the Youth Council of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

He led the youth group in protests. St. Augustine was planning to celebrate its 400th birthday. This celebration was only for white people. Dr. Hayling and his group protested this unfair plan.

Standing Up to Injustice

In 1963, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson visited St. Augustine. He was there to dedicate a restored building. A banquet was planned for white people only. After talks, a few Black people were invited. They promised not to protest the event. However, city officials did not keep their promise to listen to the Black community's concerns. This made Dr. Hayling doubt promises from politicians.

Dr. Hayling encouraged young people to join lunch counter sit-ins. Four of these students, known as "The St. Augustine Four," were jailed. They spent six months in jail and reform school. Their parents were told their children would be freed if they blamed Dr. Hayling. They also had to agree their children would stop civil rights activities. All the parents refused to sign.

Facing Danger

In September 1963, Dr. Hayling and three friends were kidnapped. They were taken to a Ku Klux Klan gathering. There, they were badly beaten. They barely escaped with their lives. After this, they were wrongly charged with attacking the Ku Klux Klan.

Dr. Hayling gained a reputation for being strong and determined. The NAACP's leader, Roy Wilkins, threatened to remove the local group's charter. Dr. Hayling bravely replied, "I will mail you your charter." He promised to continue his work without the NAACP's support.

Inviting Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Charles Kenzie Steele introduced Dr. Hayling to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.. Dr. Hayling soon became the head of the Florida branch of King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He invited Dr. King to St. Augustine in 1964. The city became a key place to push for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Dr. Hayling asked college students across the U.S. to come to St. Augustine for spring break. He wanted them to join demonstrations, not go to the beach. Mary Parkman Peabody, the mother of the Massachusetts Governor, came to help. She was arrested with Dr. Hayling for trying to eat at a segregated restaurant. Pictures of her arrest were seen worldwide. This showed everyone what was happening in St. Augustine.

Moving Forward

Dr. Hayling's dental practice in St. Augustine suffered because of his civil rights work. In 1965, he moved to Cocoa, Florida. This area was growing fast due to the Apollo Space Program. He helped other St. Augustine activists find jobs there. He also helped organize civil rights activities in the county. His office became the home for the ACLU of Brevard County.

Dr. Robert Hayling speaks at the ACLU of Brevard County meeting in December 1968.

In 1968, he hosted a meeting with civil rights leader Hosea Williams. This event, along with Dr. Hayling's leadership, made the County Chapter very active. They took on many important civil rights cases.

In the 1970s, Dr. Hayling moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He practiced dentistry there until he retired.

Honored for His Work

In 2003, the street where his home was shot at in 1964 was renamed Dr. R. B. Hayling Place. He received the two highest awards from the city of St. Augustine. This made him the most honored citizen in the city's history.

He often returned to St. Augustine. He helped start a museum at Fort Mose. He dedicated a monument to the Civil Rights Movement's "Foot Soldiers." He also cut the ribbon for Florida's first civil rights museum. This was on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He was a senior advisor for ACCORD, a group honoring those in the St. Augustine movement. He also helped create a Freedom Trail of historic civil rights sites.

In 2014, Dr. Hayling was added to the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame. A plaque honoring him is in the Florida state capitol building. During the ceremony, Dr. Hayling shared that he used to mow the lawn at the Capitol as a boy.

Lasting Impact

Dr. Robert B. Hayling's early and strong leadership in civil rights has been recognized in many ways. He received the Florida A&M University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. Florida Memorial University gave him an honorary degree and an award for his courage and service. The Florida Dental Association also honored him in 2015. After he passed away, a tribute was held for him at the state capitol.

The largest park in St. Augustine was named in his honor: Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park.

Many books about civil rights history mention Dr. Hayling. He is often called "the father of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." He was a key leader who helped make important changes happen.