Honoring Black History Through Child Advocacy: Marian Wright Edelman

Marian Wright Edelman, born 1939, is a steadfast advocate for children’s rights. She graduated from Yale Law School and became the first Black woman to be admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1964. In addition to working on racial justice and civil rights issues, she helped establish the Head Start Program, giving low-income families access to important early childhood programs and services.

In 1973, Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund, eventually persuading Congress to overhaul foster care, support adoption, improve childcare and better protect children who have a disability, are experiencing homelessness or have experienced abuse or neglect.