MARIAN+WRIGHT+EDELMAN+6

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

Marian Wright Edelman was a born in 1939 in a segregated town. Growing up was not easy for her. She faced many obstacles growing up, but her parents taught her to work hard and never give up. She exemplified perserverance by overcoming a rough childhood, poor education and racism.

Marian's childhood wasn't easy. Her father died from a heart attack when she was only 14 years old. On the way to the hospital, before he died, he told her that she could be anything she wanted to be. She also had a friend die because he stepped on a nail and wasn't able to get the proper medical care he needed. Another friend broke his neck jumping into the creek. Marian had to deal with the emotions of losing a loved one and friends. This is hard to face at any age.

Marian's education wasn't the best, but it was all that was offered. Her classrooms were unheated. The textbooks were in bad shape and falling apart. Often students had to share books because there weren't enough for everybody to have their own. Through all of this, Marian stayed focused. She would do her homework every night, and if she didn't have homework, her parents told her to create homework. She ended up graduating as valedictorian of her class.

Marian had to deal with racism growing up. Her town was segregated, which meant that the African Americans had to live in the poorer neighborhoods and were not allowed to vote. They couldn't use the public library or swim in the town pool. They couldn't drink from the same water fountains as whites or play on the public playground.

Marian remembered her struggles growing up. She became involved in civil rights movement. When she noticed how many people needed legal help but did not have the money to afford it, she wanted to become a lawyer. She attended Yale Law School. When she finished law school, she joined the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Legal Defense and Education Fund. She became the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar. She later focused on helping poor children. With a grant, she founded the Washington Research Project, which later become known as the Children's Defense Fund.

Marian Wright Edelman had a hard time as a kid but grew up successful. Even though her education was rough, she still taught children about their rights. She got through the difficult times of racism and joined the NAACP to promote civil rights. Marian is one of the most effective representatives for child care in America. She pressed on and never gave up. She believed in herself and her ability to help others. She was able to make this world a better place.

References: [|http://www.answers.com/topic/marian-wright-edelman#Gale_Encyclopedia_of_Biography_d] HUMPHREY, S. (2005). //Dare to dream 25 extrordinary lives//. (pp. 77-78). New York: Prometheus Books

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