C. Delores Tucker
Encyclopedia
C. DeLores Tucker (October 4, 1927-October 12, 2005) was a U.S.
politician
and civil rights
activist best known for her participation in the Civil Rights Movement
and stance against gangsta rap
music.
from the Bahamas and a "Christian
feminist
mother" on October 4, 1927, she was the tenth of thirteen children. Ms. Tucker attended Temple University
and the University of Pennsylvania
-Wharton School. (Later in life she was the recipient of two honorary doctoral
degrees from Morris College
in Sumter, South Carolina
and Villa Maria College
in Pennsylvania
, for this reason, she is sometimes referred to as "Dr. Tucker").
In 1951, she married William "Bill" Tucker, a successful Philadelphia real estate
agent and she herself worked in real estate and insurance
sales early in her career.
. Early on, her civil activities included participating in the 1965 march in Selma, Alabama
alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
and raising funds for the NAACP.
She was the convening founder and national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (NCBW), having succeeded the Hon. Shirley Chisholm
in 1992.
Tucker also was responsible for the Governor’s appointment of more women judges and more women and African Americans to boards and commissions than ever before. She also led the effort to make Pennsylvania
one of the first states
to pass the Equal Rights Amendment
. As Chief of Elections of Pennsylvania, she was a leader in instituting a voter registration by mail and reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 years of age
of a U.S. State in the U.S., serving for the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania
until 1977. During this time she instituted the first Commission on the Status of Women.
She was founder and president of the Bethune-DuBois Institute, Inc., which she established in 1991 to promote the cultural development of African American
youth through scholarships and educational programs. Ms. Tucker also launched, and serves as publisher of the renowned publication, Vital Issues: The Journal of African American Speeches; an acknowledgement of its launching was by William H. Gray.
tracks, citing a concern that the lyrics were misogynistic
and threatened the moral foundation of the African American community.
Called "narrow-minded" by some rappers who often mentioned her in their lyrics, Ms. Tucker picketed stores that sold rap
music and bought stock in Sony
, Time Warner
, and other companies in order to protest hip-hop
at their shareholders' meetings. She also fought against the NAACP's decision to nominate late rapper Tupac Shakur
for one of its Image Awards and filed a $10 million lawsuit against his estate for comments that the rapper made in his song "How Do U Want It
?" on the album All Eyez on Me
, in which Shakur rapped " C.DeLores Tucker you's a motherfucker / Instead of trying to help a nigga
you destroy a brother". In her lawsuit, Tucker claimed that comments in this song, and on the track "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch" from the same album, inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous and invaded her privacy. This case was eventually dismissed.
A number of famous rappers have taken their stance against her. In his song "Church for Thugs
", The Game
raps "I've got more hatred in my soul than Pac
had for DeLores Tucker." Jay-Z chimes in as well, with the lines "I don't care if you're C. Dolores Tucker or you're Bill O'Reilly
, you only riling me up," from The Black Album's
"Threat." Much of KRS-ONE
and Channel Live
's "Free Mumia" is a direct criticism of what the MCs see as Tucker's misplaced energy. Lil Kim also referenced her in a leftover track entitled "Rockin' It" from her second studio album, where she raps "C. Delores T., Screw her, I never knew her", after Tucker dubbed her music "gangsta porno rap". Eminem
also mentioned her in his song on the 8 Mile soundtrack called Rap Game saying: "Tell that C. Delores Tucker slut to suck a dick." Shyne also referenced her in "Bad Boyz Anthem" rapping: "Fuck y'all niggaz, hope you die a slow death, as I coke-test and C. DeLores Tucker protests"
Tucker later went on to serve in the Advisory Board of the Parents Television Council
until her death in 2005.
magazine, Tucker was also selected as a People Magazine 1996 Yearbook Honoree, and was featured in the inaugural issue of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
's George
magazine for her crusade against gangsta rap
. In addition, she has been acknowledged for her deep concern for children by First Lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton
in the book It Takes A Village
. The National Women's Political Caucus
and Redbook
also named her as the woman best qualified to be Ambassador to the United Nations
. For five consecutive years, from 1972 through 1977, she was listed as among Ebony
magazine's 100 Most Influential Black Americans. During that period, she was listed as Ladies Home Journal Nominee for Woman of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. She was recognized by Ebony as one of the '100 Most Influential Black Organization Leaders' in the country in 2001 and 2002. Dr. Tucker was also a prominent member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
sorority.
On Tuesday, April 25, 2006, a state historical marker honoring Tucker was unveiled in a ceremony at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
, Harrisburg, in her honor by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell
, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
, and William Tucker, her husband.
In addition, it was announced that the North Building which is adjacent to the State Capitol Building
, will be renamed the Secretary C. Delores Tucker Building. The state marker is to be installed outside the entrance to the newly named building.
The marker reads:
at the age of 78.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
activist best known for her participation in the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
and stance against gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
music.
Early life
Born in Philadelphia to a ministerMinister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
from the Bahamas and a "Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
feminist
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
mother" on October 4, 1927, she was the tenth of thirteen children. Ms. Tucker attended Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
and the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
-Wharton School. (Later in life she was the recipient of two honorary doctoral
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
degrees from Morris College
Morris College
Morris College , located in Sumter, South Carolina, is a four-year, coeducational, liberal arts, private, historically black college which operates under the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention.- History :...
in Sumter, South Carolina
Sumter, South Carolina
-Demographics:, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 4,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile . There were 416,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0 per square mile...
and Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College is a private college located in Cheektowaga, New York specializing in music and the arts. It was founded in 1961 by the Felician Sisters of Buffalo....
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, for this reason, she is sometimes referred to as "Dr. Tucker").
In 1951, she married William "Bill" Tucker, a successful Philadelphia real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
agent and she herself worked in real estate and insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
sales early in her career.
Civil activities
Tucker had a long history in the Civil Rights MovementCivil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
. Early on, her civil activities included participating in the 1965 march in Selma, Alabama
Selma, Alabama
Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States, located on the banks of the Alabama River. The population was 20,512 at the 2000 census....
alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
and raising funds for the NAACP.
She was the convening founder and national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (NCBW), having succeeded the Hon. Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress...
in 1992.
Tucker also was responsible for the Governor’s appointment of more women judges and more women and African Americans to boards and commissions than ever before. She also led the effort to make Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
one of the first states
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
to pass the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
. As Chief of Elections of Pennsylvania, she was a leader in instituting a voter registration by mail and reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 years of age
Political career
In 1971, Tucker became the first black female Secretary of StateSecretary of State (U.S. state government)
Secretary of State is an official in the state governments of 47 of the 50 states of the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. possessions. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, this official is called the Secretary of the Commonwealth...
of a U.S. State in the U.S., serving for the Commonwealth
Commonwealth (United States)
Four of the constituent states of the United States officially designate themselves Commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia....
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
until 1977. During this time she instituted the first Commission on the Status of Women.
She was founder and president of the Bethune-DuBois Institute, Inc., which she established in 1991 to promote the cultural development of African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
youth through scholarships and educational programs. Ms. Tucker also launched, and serves as publisher of the renowned publication, Vital Issues: The Journal of African American Speeches; an acknowledgement of its launching was by William H. Gray.
Stance on hip hop music
Ms. Tucker dedicated much of the last few years of her life to removing sexually explicit lyrics from rap and hip-hopHip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
tracks, citing a concern that the lyrics were misogynistic
Misogyny
Misogyny is the hatred or dislike of women or girls. Philogyny, meaning fondness, love or admiration towards women, is the antonym of misogyny. The term misandry is the term for men that is parallel to misogyny...
and threatened the moral foundation of the African American community.
Called "narrow-minded" by some rappers who often mentioned her in their lyrics, Ms. Tucker picketed stores that sold rap
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
music and bought stock in Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
, and other companies in order to protest hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
at their shareholders' meetings. She also fought against the NAACP's decision to nominate late rapper Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
for one of its Image Awards and filed a $10 million lawsuit against his estate for comments that the rapper made in his song "How Do U Want It
How Do U Want It
"How Do U Want It" is a hip-hop song performed by Tupac Shakur. It features K-Ci and JoJo and was the third single from his album All Eyez on Me. It was a Double A-side single to "California Love", and the song reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. In the UK, the song peaked at #17.It...
?" on the album All Eyez on Me
All Eyez on Me
All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac, released February 13, 1996 on Death Row Records and Interscope Records....
, in which Shakur rapped " C.DeLores Tucker you's a motherfucker / Instead of trying to help a nigga
Nigga
Nigga is a term used in African American Vernacular English that began as an eye dialect form of the word nigger .- Use in language :In practice, its use and meaning are...
you destroy a brother". In her lawsuit, Tucker claimed that comments in this song, and on the track "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch" from the same album, inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous and invaded her privacy. This case was eventually dismissed.
A number of famous rappers have taken their stance against her. In his song "Church for Thugs
The Documentary
The Documentary is the debut studio album by West Coast rapper Game, released on January 18, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. After recovering from a shooting in late 2001, The Game pursued a rap career and was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to his...
", The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
raps "I've got more hatred in my soul than Pac
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
had for DeLores Tucker." Jay-Z chimes in as well, with the lines "I don't care if you're C. Dolores Tucker or you're Bill O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly (commentator)
William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
, you only riling me up," from The Black Album's
The Black Album (Jay-Z album)
The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released November 14, 2003, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was promoted as his final studio album, which serves as a recurring theme, although Jay-Z returned to solo recording with Kingdom Come in 2006.The album debuted at number one...
"Threat." Much of KRS-ONE
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
and Channel Live
Channel Live
Channel Live is an American hip hop duo composed of Hakim Green and Vincent "Tuffy" Morgan, which recorded for Capitol Records and Flavor Unit Records....
's "Free Mumia" is a direct criticism of what the MCs see as Tucker's misplaced energy. Lil Kim also referenced her in a leftover track entitled "Rockin' It" from her second studio album, where she raps "C. Delores T., Screw her, I never knew her", after Tucker dubbed her music "gangsta porno rap". Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
also mentioned her in his song on the 8 Mile soundtrack called Rap Game saying: "Tell that C. Delores Tucker slut to suck a dick." Shyne also referenced her in "Bad Boyz Anthem" rapping: "Fuck y'all niggaz, hope you die a slow death, as I coke-test and C. DeLores Tucker protests"
Tucker later went on to serve in the Advisory Board of the Parents Television Council
Parents Television Council
The Parents Television Council is a U.S. based advocacy group founded by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III in 1995 using the National Legion of Decency as a model...
until her death in 2005.
Accolades
Selected as one of 25 of the World’s Most Intriguing People by PeoplePeople (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine, Tucker was also selected as a People Magazine 1996 Yearbook Honoree, and was featured in the inaugural issue of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. , often referred to as John F. Kennedy, Jr., JFK Jr., John Jr. or John-John, was an American socialite, magazine publisher, lawyer, and pilot. The elder son of U.S. President John F...
's George
George (magazine)
George was a glossy monthly magazine centered on the theme of politics-as-lifestyle co-founded by John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Michael J. Berman with publisher Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in New York City in September 1995...
magazine for her crusade against gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
. In addition, she has been acknowledged for her deep concern for children by First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
in the book It Takes A Village
It Takes a Village
It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us is a book published in 1996 by First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton. In it, Clinton presents her vision for the children of America...
. The National Women's Political Caucus
National Women's Political Caucus
The National Women's Political Caucus is a national bipartisan grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting women who seek elected and appointed offices....
and Redbook
Redbook
Redbook is an American women's magazine published by the Hearst Corporation. It is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.-History:...
also named her as the woman best qualified to be Ambassador to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. For five consecutive years, from 1972 through 1977, she was listed as among Ebony
Ebony (magazine)
Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
magazine's 100 Most Influential Black Americans. During that period, she was listed as Ladies Home Journal Nominee for Woman of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. She was recognized by Ebony as one of the '100 Most Influential Black Organization Leaders' in the country in 2001 and 2002. Dr. Tucker was also a prominent member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
sorority.
On Tuesday, April 25, 2006, a state historical marker honoring Tucker was unveiled in a ceremony at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
State Museum of Pennsylvania
The State Museum of Pennsylvania is a non-profit museum at 300 North Street in downtown Harrisburg, run by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to preserve and interpret the region's history and culture. It is a part of the Pennsylvania State...
, Harrisburg, in her honor by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage...
, and William Tucker, her husband.
In addition, it was announced that the North Building which is adjacent to the State Capitol Building
Pennsylvania State Capitol
The Pennsylvania State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is in downtown Harrisburg. It was designed in 1902 in a Beaux-Arts style with Renaissance themes throughout...
, will be renamed the Secretary C. Delores Tucker Building. The state marker is to be installed outside the entrance to the newly named building.
The marker reads:
C. Delores Tucker
1927—2005
Civil rights leader and activist for
women, she was the first African American
Secretary of State in the nation.
Championed the PA Equal Rights Amendment
and policies on affirmative action, voter
registration by mail, and lowering the
voting age to 18. Spearheaded the creation
of the Commission on the Status of Women &
led a successful crusade critical of the
music industry and lyrics demeaning to
women, African Americans, and children.
Death
Tucker died on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at Suburban Woods Health Center in Norristown, PennsylvaniaNorristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
at the age of 78.
External links
- Official Website of the Philadelphia Congress of the National Congress of Black Women
- Delores Tuckers's oral history video excerpts at The National Visionary Leadership Project