William Ferguson Reid facts for kids

William Ferguson "Fergie" Reid, born on 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 General Assembly since the time after the Civil War.

He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates three times. He represented the city of Richmond and parts of Henrico County. Later, a special effort called the "90 for 90 campaign" was started in his honor. This campaign encouraged more people to vote, especially in areas where voting districts were drawn unfairly.

Growing Up in Richmond

Fergie Reid was born in Richmond, Virginia, on March 18, 1925. His father was a dentist. He grew up in a neighborhood called Jackson Ward. His house was right next to the home of a famous banker and activist, Maggie L. Walker.

Reid was only nine years old when Maggie L. Walker passed away. But he remembered her very well. He said they were "very close" and spent time together every day. He even remembered the names of her grandchildren.

Education and Early Career

In 1941, Reid finished high school at Armstrong High School. He then went to Virginia Union University, where he earned his first degree in 1946. He later studied medicine at Howard University. After medical school, he trained to become a surgeon in St. Louis, Missouri.

Reid also served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He worked with the 1st Marine Division and later at a hospital for the Navy. After his military service, he returned to Richmond. He became a surgeon and worked at several hospitals there. He also joined many medical groups.

Fighting for Civil Rights

In 1956, Reid helped start a group called the Richmond Crusade for Voters. This group worked to help more Black citizens register and vote. This was during a time known as Massive Resistance in Virginia. During this period, some leaders tried to stop schools from being desegregated.

Virginia politics was largely controlled by Senator Harry F. Byrd Sr. and his political group. This group used things like poll taxes and literacy tests. These were unfair rules that made it hard for Black people to vote. Reid and other leaders met often to plan how to fight these unfair practices. Their meetings led to the creation of the Crusade for Voters.

National Changes and Voting Rights

The Civil Rights Movement gained strength across the country. Important laws were passed, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law made it illegal to discriminate based on race. Then came the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law protected the right to vote for all citizens. It also allowed the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee elections. This helped make sure voting rules were fair.

Becoming a Politician

The Crusade for Voters grew stronger over time. It helped make local politics in Richmond more fair. Reid and other founders worked hard to register new voters. Even though the Crusade was powerful, Reid's first try for public office in 1965 was not successful.

However, the political group led by Senator Byrd began to lose power. In 1967, Reid ran for the House of Delegates again. This time, he won! He defeated a politician who supported segregation. Reid became the first African American elected to the Virginia General Assembly since 1891. He took his seat in January 1968.

Reid served three terms in the Virginia General Assembly. He was re-elected in 1969 and 1971. When he first started, he was the only African American in the General Assembly. By the year 2000, there were fifteen.

After his time as a delegate, Reid worked for the U.S. State Department. He became a regional medical officer. This job meant he traveled a lot. Even from a distance, he continued his activism. The Crusade for Voters helped elect the first African American mayor of Richmond in 1977.

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

The 90 for 90 Campaign

In 2015, to celebrate Reid's 90th birthday, a special effort began. It was called the "90 for 90" campaign. This campaign aimed to register 90 new voters for his 90th birthday. Volunteers went door-to-door to encourage people to register and vote.

This voter outreach program started in Chesterfield County, Virginia. It soon spread across the entire state of Virginia and even beyond. The campaign was inspired by Dr. William Ferguson Reid's long fight for civil rights and voting equality. It helped remind people of his important work.