Ralph Abernathy

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American civil rights leader

Ralph David Abernathy (March 11, 1926 – April 17, 1990) was an American civil rights leader and Baptist minister. He was a close associate and confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Early Life

Ralph Abernathy was born in Linden, Alabama, the 10th of 12 children. He grew up in a rural area and attended Linden Academy, a private school for African Americans. Abernathy later attended Alabama State University, where he earned a degree in mathematics.

Civil Rights Movement

Abernathy became a prominent figure in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a key organizer of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, which was a pivotal event in the movement. Abernathy and King co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, an organization that played a crucial role in the struggle for civil rights.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

The Montgomery Bus Boycott began on December 5, 1955, after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person. Abernathy, along with King and other leaders, organized the boycott, which lasted for 381 days and resulted in the desegregation of the Montgomery public bus system.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was established to coordinate and support nonviolent direct action as a method of desegregating bus systems across the South. Abernathy served as the organization's first Secretary-Treasurer and later as its President after King's assassination in 1968.

Later Life and Legacy

After King's assassination, Abernathy continued to lead the SCLC and was involved in various civil rights activities. He also ran for political office and wrote an autobiography, And the Walls Came Tumbling Down. Abernathy passed away on April 17, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Personal Life

Abernathy was married to Juanita Odessa Jones, and they had five children. He was known for his deep commitment to the cause of civil rights and his close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr.

Related Pages

• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference
• Montgomery Bus Boycott
• Civil rights movement
• Rosa Parks

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