Cecil B. Moore

Cecil B. Moore

Cecil Bassett Moore (April 2, 1915 – February 13, 1979) was a prominent American civil rights leader and attorney, best known for his work in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He played a significant role in the fight for racial equality and justice during the 1960s.

Early Life and Education

Cecil B. Moore was born in West Virginia and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, where he achieved the rank of sergeant. After the war, Moore moved to Philadelphia and attended Temple University, where he earned a law degree in 1953.

Legal Career and Civil Rights Activism

Moore established a law practice in Philadelphia and quickly became involved in the civil rights movement. He joined the NAACP and was elected president of the Philadelphia chapter in 1963. Under his leadership, the chapter became one of the most active and militant in the country.

Moore was known for his direct and confrontational style. He organized protests and demonstrations against racial segregation and discrimination in housing, employment, and education. One of his most notable campaigns was the desegregation of Girard College, a private boarding school in Philadelphia that had a whites-only admission policy. After years of protests and legal battles, the school was finally desegregated in 1968.

Political Career

In addition to his work with the NAACP, Moore was also involved in local politics. He served on the Philadelphia City Council from 1975 to 1979, where he continued to advocate for civil rights and social justice.

Legacy

Cecil B. Moore's legacy is remembered in Philadelphia and beyond. A major thoroughfare in North Philadelphia, formerly known as Columbia Avenue, was renamed Cecil B. Moore Avenue in his honor. His efforts in the civil rights movement helped pave the way for future generations in the fight for equality.

References

• "Cecil B. Moore: A Biography," by Charles L. Blockson, Temple University Press, 1984.
• "The Struggle for Civil Rights in Philadelphia," by Matthew J. Countryman, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.

External Links

• NAACP Official Website
• Temple University