Marian Wright Edelman

Date of Birth: June 6, 1939

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: (Leave blank as Marian Wright Edelman is alive)

Biography

Marian Wright Edelman is a distinguished American activist who has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of children and the disadvantaged. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, she was the youngest of five children. Her father, Arthur Jerome Wright, instilled in her a sense of responsibility towards helping the less fortunate. After graduating from Spelman College, she attended Yale Law School, becoming the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar. Edelman began her career in the Civil Rights Movement, working alongside notable figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She founded the Washington Research Project, a public interest law firm, and later established the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) in 1973. The CDF has played a crucial role in advocating for policies that protect and uplift children, especially those from low-income families. Throughout her life, Edelman has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for her tireless work in social justice.

5 Interesting Facts about Marian Wright Edelman

1. Marian Wright Edelman was the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar.

2. She founded the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973, which has become a leading advocacy group for children’s rights in the United States.

3. Edelman has written several influential books, including “The Measure of Our Success” and “Lanterns: A Memoir of Mentors.”

4. She has received over 100 honorary degrees from various universities.

5. Edelman played a key role in the Head Start program and the expansion of the Child Nutrition Act.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marian Wright Edelman

1. “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”

2. “If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time.”

3. “You really can change the world if you care enough.”

4. “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

5. “It is utterly exhausting being Black in America—physically, mentally, and emotionally. While we can never let racism and oppression defeat us, it is a constant battle.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Marian Wright Edelman’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but her significant influence and achievements have made her a prominent figure in social advocacy.

Children

Marian Wright Edelman has three sons: Joshua, Jonah, and Ezra. Jonah Edelman is the co-founder and CEO of Stand for Children, an organization dedicated to education reform and improving public schools.