ELLA BAKER

Allisa

EARLY LIFE

Ella Baker was born on December 13th 1903 in Norfolk Virginia

Ella was greatly influenced by her grandmother who was beaten by her slave owner, because she did not want to marry the man her “owner” had chosen for her.

Even as a young girl she was an activist challenged the unfairness of policies.

ACTIVIST CAREER

Ella Baker attended Shaw University and graduated as valedictorian at the top of her class in 1927.

During the Great Depression Ms. Baker helped people who were struggling to survive by joining a political group.

Ms. Baker also created a group for called “Young Negroes Cooperative League’ which did a lot of charitable work in the community during the Great Depression.

PERSONAL LIFE

Ms. Baker met T.J. Roberts in the 1930s then they married a soon after.

They were both very strong activist and very political minded.

CIVIL RIGHTS CAREER

Soon after there marriage they joined the NAAPC (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)]

Ms. Baker (she preferred to use her maiden name ) started out as a field agent for the NAAPC but it did not last long Ms. Baker did not stay there long because of there brutality.

Soon she left the NAAPC for several years

CIVIL RIGHTS

During The Great Bus Boycott in Alabama Ms. Baker was inspired by Rosa Parks bravery that she took up interest in the Civil Rights.

Ms. Baker started an organization to help fund money for the civil rights movement in the south.

She worked side by side with Martin King Jr. as director under him.

LATER LIFE

Ella Baker continued to add the civil rights movement, until she passed away on her 83rd birthday December 13th 1986.

In 2009 her head was put on a postage stamp.