The National Urban League, 100 Years of Empowering Communities: Ruth Standish Baldwin and George Edmund Haynes, 1950-1980

By Anne Nixon and Kay Horsch

The National Urban League was founded in 1910. The Civil War between North and South had ended forty-five years before, but the country was still deeply divided. Most former slaves remained locked in a system of political powerlessness and economic inequality. The new organization set two major goals - remove barriers to racial equality and achieve economic empowerment for the country’s Negro citizens.
Slavery had been abolished in 1865 by the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution. The 14th and 15th amendments went further and guaranteed equal treatment to Negroes and gave Negro men the right to vote.
Despite these Constitutional protections, the civil war continued to rage in the hearts and minds of white Southerners. They were resigned to the abolition of slavery but were not willing to accept either social change or political domination by former slaves.
Many former slaves opted to migrate and moved north to find a better life. By 1910, the Negro population had increased dramatically in urban areas of the North, and with the population explosion, a new set of problems emerged.
Two people stepped forward at this time to provide leadership — one Negro, one white; one man, one woman — and together, they founded the National Urban League. Their names were Ruth Standish Baldwin and George Edmund Haynes. The multiracial character of the Urban League that they established still exists today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9780985871154

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ISBN 978-0-9858711-5-4

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Foreword

We need to re-mythologize our heroes. Of course, they were only human beings like the rest of us But they had great gifts and, due to fate or chance or perhaps providence, great currents of human and social energy passed through them

Jacob Needleman, The American Soul

Change began with them; change begins with each of us!

Throughout history, noble individuals have looked out on their world and seen that more could be done to help those in need. Over the last century in America, these like-minded individuals found each other, put pen to paper and became the voice of a nation, manifesting that deeply human impulse to care enough to act. Their zeal, discipline and hard work forever changed this nation's collective capacity to care.

In telling the stories of their lives and work, the legacy and impact of their actions, we begin to see the extent to which voluntary association — the building of healthy, diverse, inclusive community — lies at the heart of our national character.

The Human Spirit Initiative is a nonprofit organization committed to building greater understanding of the impact of health and human services on American society. Presented in this monograph and others in this series are stories that inspire one to action — to recognize we are all part of a community and accept responsibility for the health of that community. These stories celebrate the contributions of ordinary people who dedicated their lives to found or shape significant human services organizations and, in the process, transformed the fabric of 20th century American society. Blending biography with history, we will trace the legacy of their actions: the growth, impact and promise of civil society in America.

The public (government), private (corporate), and social (non-profit) sectors in America all impact our quality of life and our relationships with the rest of the world. The non-profit sector consists of more than 1.4 million organizations, employing 12 million individuals. Operating within this fast-growing sector are health and human services organizations — ranging from community groups to national associations — focused on alleviating need, and preventing suffering such as Volunteers of America, The Salvation Army, National Urban League, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The individuals whose lives we celebrate have been memorialized in our nation's newest monument in Washington, D.C., The Extra Mile — Points of Light Volunteer Pathway. Dedicated in 2005 to the spirit of service in America, the Extra Mile comprises a series of bronze medallions forming a one-mile walking path just blocks from the White House. In 2007, Jane Addams, a founder of the U.S. Settlement House movement and the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, was honored with a marker on the pathway. Other honorees include founders of major service organizations and civil rights leaders, individuals who selflessly championed causes to help others realize a better America. Their legacies are enduring social movements that continue to engage and inspire us today.

These ordinary people combined a sense of history and responsibility with altruism and independence of spirit. They used their skills as writers, organizers, speakers, agitators and advisors to spotlight social needs, change public opinion, rally forces for positive change and advance legislation. None of them knew at the beginning of their work the ultimate legacy and impact of their actions. They did not act for self-serving reasons, but many did gain prominence and influence and lived to see their dreams flourish.

The initial seven monographs in this series will collectively capture the growth of health and human services in the United States over the past century, with a focus on social welfare, health services and youth development.

The monographs will spotlight the life and work of:

• Jane Addams, Hull House, 1889-1920

• Clifford Beers, Mental Health America, 1908-1935

• Maud and Ballington Booth, Volunteers of America, 1890-1935

• William Edwin Hall, Boys and Girls Clubs, 1935-1950

• Eunice Shriver, Special Olympics, 1965-1985

• Ruth Standish Baldwin and George Edmund Haynes, The National Urban League, 1950-1980

These monographs offer a snapshot of the demographics, economic conditions and politics of the 20th century. Each highlights the particular events and conditions that gave rise to the need and enabled the response, while presenting common themes and approaches that each of us can follow in our own journey to make a difference. We will seek to discover parallels in today's world, the legacy of these individuals' work and, through the discussion guide, how each reader can take action to benefit the common good and strengthen civil society.

As you read — and marvel — at the generosity, courage, creativity and tenacity of our ordinary heroes, seek to discover the heroes in the communities of your life. Applaud yourself for the role you play in enabling civil society to flourish. Ask how and when you can enhance that role. Start Today.

Kay Horsch

Chairman, The Human Spirit Initiative

2008

Acknowledgements

This monograph was made possible through the insight and generosity of Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League. Annelle Lewis, Centennial Commission Executive Director and Vie Kaufman, Resident Archivist, shared extensive historical perspective as well as the resources of their archives to assure historical accuracy. Sincere gratitude is extended to the National Urban League Centennial Commission and Board of Trustees, whose vision shaped the 18-month Centennial celebration. Sharon Harris provided assistance in facilitating onsite National Urban League Centennial Conference interviews. Sabrina Charles, Affiliate Services Associate, provided affiliate listings and website information. Lucille Chappelle, Dorothy Millines and Lillian Coakley verified affiliate chartering dates and National CEO tenures.The Marketing and Communications team provided the Centennial timeline and other materials replicated from the Centennial Exhibit and Conference publications.

Anne Nixon authored the narrative, turning historical data into an inspirational tool for our readers. With this monograph, we move through the civil rights movement of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s to study the conditions and events that drove Ruth Standish Baldwin and George Edmund Haynes to found an enduring social movement. We celebrate the League's ability to build coalitions that commit the resources of communities all across America to solving specific needs. We recognize that the National Urban League affiliates are the heart and soul of the League.

Oral Interviews

In preparation for this monograph, oral and written interviews were conducted with descendants of the founders and past presidents, former national and affiliate leaders, and social sector leaders. These interviews added to our understanding of the impulses, opportunities and obstacles facing civil rights and social sector leaders and the human characteristics necessary to their success.

We are most grateful to:

Civil Rights and Social Sector Leaders (in alphabetical order)

• Dr. Bernard E. Anderson, Chairman, National Urban League Presidential Council of Economic Advisors

• Dr. Harold P. Freeman, Senior Advisor to the Director of the National Cancer Institute

• Vernon E. Jordan Jr., National Urban League Past President

• John W Mack, Los Angeles Urban League Past President; Co-Chair National Urban League Centennial Commission

• Dr. John R. Seffrin, Chief Executive Officer, American Cancer Society

Family Members of National Urban League Co-Founders and Past Presidents (in alphabetical order)

• Deborah Baldwin, great-granddaughter of Ruth Standish Baldwin, National Urban League Co-Founder and Past Chairman

• Diane Leslie Granger Bowman, grandniece of Lester B. Granger, National Urban League Past President

• Jennifer Cosby, great grandniece of Lester B. Granger, National Urban League Past President

• Megan Cosby, great grandniece of Lester B. Granger, National Urban League Past President

• Sheryl Jacob Desbordes, daughter of John E. Jacob, National Urban League Past President

• Augustus Gus Turpin Granger, nephew of Lester B. Granger, National Urban League Past President

• Bruce D.