Andrew Young

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  Andrew Young at the second annual Tom Johnson lecture
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  Andrew Young

Andrew Young

Andrew Young is a prominent American politician, diplomat, and civil rights activist. He is best known for his work alongside Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and for his subsequent career in public service, including serving as a United States Ambassador to the United Nations and as the Mayor of Atlanta.

Early Life and Education

Andrew Jackson Young Jr. was born on March 12, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in a middle-class family and was exposed to the realities of racial segregation from an early age. Young attended Dillard University for a year before transferring to Howard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1951. He later attended the Hartford Theological Seminary in Connecticut, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1955.

Civil Rights Movement

Young became involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization founded by Martin Luther King Jr. and others to coordinate nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination. Young played a key role in organizing and leading civil rights campaigns, including the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, which were pivotal in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Political Career

In 1972, Andrew Young was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Georgia, becoming the first African American to represent Georgia in Congress since Reconstruction. He served in the House until 1977, when he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. During his tenure at the UN, Young advocated for human rights and economic development in Africa and other parts of the world.

In 1981, Young was elected as the Mayor of Atlanta, serving two terms until 1990. As mayor, he focused on improving the city's infrastructure and attracting international business and investment.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving office, Young continued to be active in public life, working on issues such as poverty alleviation and economic development. He has served on numerous boards and has been involved in various humanitarian efforts. Young's contributions to civil rights and public service have been widely recognized, and he remains an influential figure in American history.

Related Pages

• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Civil Rights Movement
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference
• Selma to Montgomery marches
• Voting Rights Act of 1965
• United States Ambassador to the United Nations
• Mayor of Atlanta