Born: 1919 (St. Louis, Missouri)
Died: 2009
Biography:
Margaret Bush Wilson (January 30, 1919 – August 11, 2009) was an American lawyer and activist who broke many barriers as an African-American woman throughout her professional career. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she made significant contributions to the civil rights movement and fought tirelessly for equal rights and opportunities.
Wilson’s journey began at Talladega College, where she completed her undergraduate degree with honors in 1940. During her time at Talladega, Wilson had the unique opportunity to study in India for six months. This experience was made possible through the Juliette Derricotte Memorial Fund for Undergraduate Study in India, which had been established by Sue Bailey Thurman. It laid the foundation for Wilson’s lifelong commitment to serving her community.
In her pursuit of legal education, Wilson enrolled at the Lincoln University of Missouri School of Law. She was one of only two women in her class and went on to become the second African-American woman to pass the bar and be licensed to practice law in Missouri in 1943. This achievement was remarkable in a time when opportunities for African-American women in the legal profession were severely limited.
In 1946, Wilson became involved in a landmark civil rights case. Her father, James T. Bush, a real estate broker, helped the J. D. Shelley family purchase a home. However, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the racial restrictive covenant governing the property was enforceable, leading to the Shelley family being ordered to leave their home. Wilson, as counsel for the Real Estate Brokers Association, played a vital role in taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1948, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelley v. Kraemer that such covenants were unenforceable, dealing a significant blow to discriminatory housing practices.
Wilson’s commitment to civil rights extended beyond her legal career. In 1948, she became the first black woman in Missouri to run for Congress, running on the Progressive Party ticket. Although she did not win the race, she continued to advocate for change and later joined the Democratic Party. Wilson celebrated a significant victory in 1954 when the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision was handed down. The following year, her five-year-old son started kindergarten at one of the newly integrated schools in the city.
Throughout her professional journey, Wilson held various positions of influence. She served as the United States Attorney for the Rural Electrification Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and as Assistant Attorney General of Missouri. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, she played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, rising through the ranks of the St. Louis and Missouri chapters of the NAACP. It was during this time that activists began demonstrating in front of the Jefferson Bank & Trust, leading to more job opportunities for Black individuals at previously all-white businesses.
Wilson’s dedication and contributions to the NAACP were undeniable. She was elected to the organization’s national board in 1963 and went on to become the first woman to chair the National Board of Directors in 1975. Wilson served in this position for nine terms, bringing her expertise and passion to the forefront of the civil rights movement. However, in later years, Wilson found herself in a dispute with the NAACP’s executive director, Benjamin Hooks. She alleged managerial incompetence after a significant drop in membership, turnover of financial managers, and unpaid bills. Wilson claimed that Hooks refused to cooperate in an audit of the accounting system and, in May 1983, unilaterally suspended him for insubordination, improper conduct, and noncooperation.
Margaret Bush Wilson’s legacy as a trailblazer, advocate, and leader in the civil rights movement is undeniable. Her commitment to fighting for equality and justice serves as an inspiration to generations to come. Wilson broke down barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and left an indelible mark on the history of women’s rights and social progress.
Awards:
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