Thurgood Marshall – The First African American Supreme Court Justice
Thurgood Marshall was an American lawyer, civil rights activist, and the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Born in 1908, Marshall grew up in a segregated society and fought tirelessly to end racial discrimination and promote justice for all.
Early Life
Thurgood Marshall was born on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland. His father worked as a railroad porter and his mother was a teacher. Marshall attended a segregated school and later went on to graduate from Lincoln University, a historically black college in Pennsylvania. He then attended law school at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Legal Career
After law school, Marshall began working for the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), where he fought for civil rights and desegregation. He argued several landmark cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education, which ended segregation in public schools.
Supreme Court
In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Marshall to the Supreme Court, where he served for 24 years. During his time on the Court, Marshall continued to fight for civil rights and justice for all Americans. He was a strong advocate for affirmative action and worked to protect the rights of minorities and the underprivileged.
Legacy
Thurgood Marshall is widely regarded as one of the most influential lawyers and civil rights activists in American history. His work on the Brown v. Board of Education case helped to end segregation in schools and paved the way for further civil rights advancements. Marshall’s legacy continues to inspire people today, and his impact on the legal system and society as a whole will be felt for generations to come.