Cecil B. Moore
Encyclopedia
Cecil Bassett Moore was a Philadelphia lawyer, civil rights
activist who led the fight to integrate Girard College
, president of the local NAACP, and member of Philadelphia's City Council.
Born in West Virginia
, Moore served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II
. In 1947, after his discharge at Fort Mifflin
, Moore moved to Philadelphia and studied Law at Temple University
. He earned a reputation as a no-nonsense lawyer who fought on behalf of his mostly poor, African-American clients concentrated in North Philadelphia. From 1963 to 1967, he served as President of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP. He also served on the Philadelphia City Council
.
Moore is best remembered for leading a picket against Girard College
which led to the desegregation
of that school. He was also a champion of a wide range of causes central to the Civil Rights Movement, including integration of schools and trade union
s, and increased political and economic representation for poor African-Americans. He has been credited with helping to restore order after the unsettling vandalism and violence of the racially-charged Columbia Avenue riot
of 1964. During his tenure, membership in the local NAACP chapter expanded from 7,000 in 1962 to more than 50,000 within a few years.
Moore's aggressive manner and confrontational tactics alienated many leaders, black and white, including many within the NAACP who preferred negotiation "behind closed doors" over direct action. Moore himself acknowledged how his military service shaped his grassroots activism:
In 1966, NAACP leaders fearful that Moore's leadership was getting out of hand responded by breaking up the Philadelphia chapter into smaller branches. Moore presided over the North Philadelphia branch for one year and left the NAACP on uneasy terms with the organization.
Over time, however, appreciation for Moore has grown beyond the working poor with whom he long enjoyed popularity, and he is cited as a pivotal figure in the fields of social justice and race relations. In 1987, following a successful petition, Columbia Avenue in North Philadelphia was renamed Cecil B. Moore Avenue
in his honor.
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...
activist who led the fight to integrate Girard College
Girard College
Girard College is an independent boarding school on a 43-acre campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States.Girard is for academically capable students, grades one through 12, and awards a full scholarship with a yearly value of approximately $42,000 to every child admitted to the...
, president of the local NAACP, and member of Philadelphia's City Council.
Born in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, Moore served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1947, after his discharge at Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin, originally called Fort Island Battery and also known as Mud Island Fort, was commissioned in 1771 and sits on Mud Island on the Delaware River below Philadelphia, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia International Airport...
, Moore moved to Philadelphia and studied Law at 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...
. He earned a reputation as a no-nonsense lawyer who fought on behalf of his mostly poor, African-American clients concentrated in North Philadelphia. From 1963 to 1967, he served as President of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP. He also served on the Philadelphia City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
.
Moore is best remembered for leading a picket against Girard College
Girard College
Girard College is an independent boarding school on a 43-acre campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States.Girard is for academically capable students, grades one through 12, and awards a full scholarship with a yearly value of approximately $42,000 to every child admitted to the...
which led to the desegregation
Desegregation
Desegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups usually referring to races. This is most commonly used in reference to the United States. Desegregation was long a focus of the American Civil Rights Movement, both before and after the United States Supreme Court's decision in...
of that school. He was also a champion of a wide range of causes central to the Civil Rights Movement, including integration of schools and trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s, and increased political and economic representation for poor African-Americans. He has been credited with helping to restore order after the unsettling vandalism and violence of the racially-charged Columbia Avenue riot
Philadelphia 1964 race riot
The Philadelphia race riot took place in the predominantly black neighborhoods of North Philadelphia from August 28 to August 30, 1964. Tensions between black residents of the city and police had been escalating for several months over several well-publicized allegations of police brutality.This...
of 1964. During his tenure, membership in the local NAACP chapter expanded from 7,000 in 1962 to more than 50,000 within a few years.
Moore's aggressive manner and confrontational tactics alienated many leaders, black and white, including many within the NAACP who preferred negotiation "behind closed doors" over direct action. Moore himself acknowledged how his military service shaped his grassroots activism:
In 1966, NAACP leaders fearful that Moore's leadership was getting out of hand responded by breaking up the Philadelphia chapter into smaller branches. Moore presided over the North Philadelphia branch for one year and left the NAACP on uneasy terms with the organization.
Over time, however, appreciation for Moore has grown beyond the working poor with whom he long enjoyed popularity, and he is cited as a pivotal figure in the fields of social justice and race relations. In 1987, following a successful petition, Columbia Avenue in North Philadelphia was renamed Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Cecil B. Moore Avenue, also known as Columbia Avenue, is a major arterial street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which is divided East and West between the city's Fishtown and Overbrook communities. East of Frankford Avenue, the street is known by its original name, East Columbia Avenue, from...
in his honor.