王姗姗

【Abstract】This thesis is devoted to the roles and contributions of black women in the Civil Right Movement against racial discriminations in the U.S.A in 1960s. The conclusion comes from three aspects of the black womens involving the Civil Right Movement.

【Key Words】U.S.A； Civil Right Movement； Black women； Contribution

Introduction

Women were at the forefront of the civil rights struggle，but their individual stories were rarely heard. Only recently have historians begun to recognize the central role women played in the battle for racial equality. So today we are going to talk about the roles and contributions of black women in the Civil Movement against racial discriminations in the U.S.A.in 1960s.

From the beginning the Civil Rights Movement，black women had thrown themselves into the fighting for racial liberation. Since the mid-1960s black women began to play a more and more important role in the American Civil Right Movement，they are called the spine of the movement [1].

First，they are of high responsibility for taking good care of the community，black women are a great number of the housewife，that is to say，the only duty they have to hold is to keep their block safety. Specifically speaking，the number of the black women involving the Civil Right Movement is the largest than any other group so they are the basic part of the movement.[2]

Second，they are more courage under the pressure of the widely pressing society，because they know the roots of the problem is not the racial pressing，not the black man，but it is the widely pressing power of the society.[3] So they are brave beyond expectation. Annie May is the most stable believer about civil right，she will sing for freedom as a war in the middle night and pretend to be confused of what is freedom while asked by her employer.[4]

Third，black women leaders are more influential as an example fighting for their own rights，they can inspire and guide the other women during the demonstrations. Their slogan is clever women never sit for sadness，they stand for stopping that.[5] in 1952，87% of the black women never vote，but twenty five years later the percentage 28%. Those black women have already regarded themselves as a special benefit group and begun fighting against gender and race discrimination. [6]

In conclusion，as supporters，black women not only devote their all valuable physical resources，but also their special experience and intelligent as spiritual value. As participants in the movements，they are always at the cutting edge，even more valiant than man. So they are the real spine of the Civil Right Movement.

References：

[1]Jacqueline Jones，Labor of Love，Labor of Sorrow：Black Women，Work and the Family from Slavery to Present，New York：Vintage Books，1985，p280，line 17-19.

[2]Bernice Johnson Reagon，My Black Mothers and Sisters，or on Beginning A Cultural Autobiography，Feminist Studies 8 （Spring 1982）：p81-96，line21-line12.

[3]Robin Morgan ed，Sisterhood Is Powerful：An Anthology of Writings from the Womens Liberation，Movement，New York：Vintage Books，1970，p393，line 12-15.

[4]Sally Belfrage，Freedom Summer，New York：Viking Press，1965，p114，line3-10.

[5]Paula Giddings，When and Where I Enter：the Impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America，New York：Bantam Books，1984，p312，line15-16.

[6]Susan M.Hartmann，From Margin to Mainstream：American Women and Politics since 1960，Philadelphia：Temple，1989，P6，line 8-19.

[7]Johnson，Daniel Milo （1981）.Black Migration in America：A Social Demographic History.Duke University Press.p.51.ISBN 0-8223-0449-X.

[8]Sernett，Milton C.（1997）.Bound for the Promised Land：African American Religion and the Great Migration.Duke University Press.p.14.ISBN 0-8223-1993-4.

[9]Jenkins，Jeffrey； Weaver，Vesla； Peck，Justin （2009）.Between Reconstructions：Congressional Action on Civil Rights，1891-1940（PDF）.Midwest Political Science Association 67th Annual National Conference.

[10]Ewers，Justin （March 22，2004）.“Separate but equal”was the law of the land，until one decision brought it crashing down （page 4）.U.S.News & World Report.

[11]Rawn James，Jr.（22 January 2013）.The Double V：How Wars，Protest，and Harry Truman Desegregated America's Military.Bloomsbury Publishing.pp.77–80.ISBN 978-1-60819-617-3.Retrieved 16 May.2013.

[12]David T.Beito and Linda Royster Beito，Black Maverick：T.R.M.Howard's Fight for Civil Rights and Economic Power，Urbana：University of Illinois Press，2009，pp.72-89.