Black Women Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement (African-American Experience)

Allen, Zita

ISBN 10: 0531112713 ISBN 13: 9780531112717

Publisher: Franklin Watts, 1996

Synopsis

Examines the struggle for civil rights by African American women during the twentieth century

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up. This well-written overview focuses on the entire movement, from 1900-1964. Allen includes lawyers, teachers, college professors, sharecroppers, students, and domestics who participated in the desegregation of high schools and universities, buses, lunch counters, and other public facilities, and whose stories have been overshadowed by the contributions of men. The brief, but detailed text captures the spirit of the movement and gives another dimension to organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women and the Southern Negro Youth Conference. The black-and-white photographs greatly enhance the presentation. Readers see a young Carlotta Walls, Charlayne Hunter (Gault), and Elizabeth Eckford, and learn about the contributions of these individuals and others like Marian Wright Edelman who have achieved national prominence. Good source notes are appended. Libraries would do well to add this book to the many other titles available on the movement because of its central focus and perspective.?Marie Wright, University Library, Indianapolis, IN
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. According to Allen, historians have largely overlooked the important role women played in the civil rights movement, partly because women were generally relegated to such behind-the-scenes tasks as fund-raising and assisting male leaders. But Allen also cites examples of women playing larger roles, sometimes with men--among them, Martin Luther King Jr.--actually given the credit. Such information makes this book as much about the struggle for gender equality as it is about civil rights, and that, along with Allen's inclusion of lesser-known black women activists, is what sets it apart from the many books on the movement. Unfortunately, the text is rather disjointed and occasionally confusing, and the words lack the sort of easy flow that makes for good readability. If the book is used strictly for research, however, problems with the text won't matter as much. Black-and-white photos and source notes. Lauren Peterson

About this edition

• Publisher: Franklin Watts
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0531112713
• ISBN 13: 9780531112717
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 128