William Ferguson Reid facts for kids

William Ferguson "Fergie" Reid (born March 18, 1925) is an important figure from Virginia. He is a doctor, a politician, and a civil rights activist. In 1968, Reid made history. He became the first African-American person elected to the Virginia Assembly since the time after the Civil War. He was re-elected twice, serving in the Virginia House of Delegates. He represented Richmond and parts of Henrico County.

In 2015, a special effort called the "90 for 90 campaign" was started. It honored Dr. Reid's 90th birthday. This campaign encouraged more people to vote, especially in areas where voting districts were drawn unfairly.

Early Life and Family

Growing Up in Richmond

Fergie Reid was born in Richmond, Virginia, on March 18, 1925. His father was a dentist. He grew up next door to a very famous banker and activist named Maggie L. Walker. Their houses were on Leigh Street in Richmond's Jackson Ward.

One day, a well-known scholar and civil rights activist, W. E. B. Du Bois, came to their door by mistake. He thought it was Maggie L. Walker's house. Dr. Reid was only 9 years old when Maggie L. Walker passed away in 1934. But he remembered her clearly. He said they were "very close" and spent time together every day.

Education and Family Life

In 1941, Dr. Reid finished high school at Armstrong High School. He then earned his bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University in 1946. He went on to get his medical degree from Howard University. He completed his training as a surgeon in St. Louis, Missouri.

After his important work in civil rights, Dr. Reid and his wife moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland. All three of their children became doctors too. Their daughters practice medicine in Maryland and New Jersey. Their son, William Ferguson Reid Jr., is a doctor in Hollywood, California. Dr. Reid was also active in his church and the Salvation Army. He was also part of Omega Psi Phi and became a 32nd degree Mason.

Medical Career

Serving His Country

Dr. Reid served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He worked with the 1st Marine Division. Later, he served at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.

A Dedicated Surgeon

After his military service, Dr. Reid returned to Richmond. He became very involved in his community and in medical groups. He worked at several hospitals in Richmond. These included Richmond Memorial Hospital and the Medical College of Virginia. He was also part of many medical groups, like the American Medical Association. In 1955, he became a certified surgeon.

Civil Rights Work

Fighting for Voting Rights

In 1956, Dr. Reid helped start the Richmond Crusade for Voters. This group aimed to help more Black citizens register and vote. This was during a time called "Massive Resistance." This was when some states tried to stop school desegregation. Dr. Reid was a key part of the Civil Rights Movement.

At that time, Senator Harry F. Byrd Sr. and his political group controlled Virginia politics. It was hard for Black people to vote. There were things like poll taxes (money you had to pay to vote) and literacy tests (tests you had to pass to vote). These rules were designed to make it harder for Black people to have a say.

Dr. Reid and other leaders met often to plan their strategies. Their meetings led to the creation of the Crusade for Voters.

National Support for Civil Rights

The Civil Rights Movement gained national support. Important laws were passed, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws helped protect voting rights for all Americans. The U.S. Department of Justice began to oversee elections to make sure they were fair.

Political Career

Making History in Virginia

The Crusade for Voters grew stronger. It helped change local politics in Richmond. Dr. Reid, along with Dr. William Thornton, John M. Brooks, Ethel T. Overby, and Lola Hamilton, founded the group.

Dr. Reid first ran for office in 1965 but did not win. However, the old political group in Virginia was losing power. In 1967, Dr. Reid won his election to the House of Delegates. He defeated a strong supporter of segregation.

In January 1968, Dr. Reid took his seat. He was the first African American elected to the Virginia General Assembly since 1891. He served three terms, winning re-election in 1969 and 1971. When he started, he was the only African American in the General Assembly. By 2000, there were fifteen.

After His Time in Office

In 1973, Dr. Reid lost his re-election bid. After his time as a delegate ended, he took a job with the U.S. State Department. He became a regional medical officer. This job meant he traveled a lot and lived in the Washington, D.C. area.

Even from a distance, his activism continued. The Crusade for Voters helped elect an African American majority to Richmond's City Council. They also helped elect Henry L. Marsh as the city's first African American mayor in 1977. Dr. Reid also shared his life story in an oral history for Virginia Commonwealth University.

In 2012, the Henrico County School Board named a school in honor of Dr. William Ferguson Reid.

The 90 for 90 Campaign

Encouraging Voter Participation

In 2015, to celebrate Dr. Reid's 90th birthday, the "90 for 90" campaign began. It started in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Volunteers went door-to-door to help people register to vote. This effort quickly spread across Virginia and beyond.

A writer named Denise Oliver Valdez wrote about the campaign in 2015. She explained that it was a unique effort to get people registered and ready to vote. She highlighted that Dr. William Ferguson Reid, or "Fergie," was the inspiration behind this important drive. He was a true civil rights hero in Virginia.