Gloria Richardson

About

Famous for leading a Maryland-based civil rights initiative known as the Cambridge Movement, this African-American activist was the spokeswoman of the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee and a key figure in the development of the Black Power movement.

Before Fame

After earning her bachelor's degree in sociology from Howard University, she attempted to secure employment as a social worker, but was banned from all open positions as a result of her race.

Trivia

She appeared in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands at the famous 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Family Life

A member of the wealthy St. Clair family, she grew up in Cambridge, Maryland. Her first marriage produced several children, including a daughter named Donna. After marrying her second husband, Frank Dandridge, Richardson settled in New York City.

Associated With

She and Ella Baker were both important female civil rights activists.