Marian Wright Edelman
American activist for children's rights
| Name | Marian Wright Edelman |
| Birth name | |
| Birth date | Birth date -1st March 1966 |
| Birth place | Bennettsville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Death date | |
| Death place | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Years active | |
| Organization | |
| Known for | Founder of the Children's Defense Fund |
| Notable works | |
| Spouse(s) | Peter Edelman |
| Website | |
Marian Wright Edelman (born June 6, 1939) is an American activist for children's rights. She is the founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF). Throughout her career, Edelman has been a tireless advocate for disadvantaged children and families.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Marian Wright was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, to parents who were active in the Baptist Church. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. After graduating from Spelman, she went on to study law at Yale Law School, earning her J.D. in 1963.
Career[edit | edit source]
Early career[edit | edit source]
After law school, Edelman worked as a lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Jackson, Mississippi. She was the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar. During her time in Mississippi, she worked on issues related to civil rights and poverty.
Children's Defense Fund[edit | edit source]
In 1973, Edelman founded the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), an organization dedicated to advocating for policies and programs that lift children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect, and ensure their access to health care and quality education. Under her leadership, the CDF has become a powerful voice for children in the United States.
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Marian Wright Edelman is married to Peter Edelman, a law professor and former government official. They have three children. Edelman has written several books on issues related to children and families, including The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours.
Awards and honors[edit | edit source]
Edelman has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, and the MacArthur Fellowship.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Marian Wright Edelman's work has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of children and families. Her advocacy has led to significant policy changes and increased awareness of the issues facing disadvantaged children.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
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- 1939 births
- Living people
- American civil rights activists
- American women lawyers
- Children's rights activists
- Spelman College alumni
- Yale Law School alumni
- Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
- MacArthur Fellows
- People from Bennettsville, South Carolina
- African-American activists
- African-American women lawyers
- 20th-century American lawyers
- 21st-century American lawyers
- 20th-century African-American lawyers
- 21st-century African-American lawyers
- 20th-century American women lawyers
- 21st-century American women lawyers
- 20th-century African-American women
- 21st-century African-American women
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
