Marian Wright Edelman (born 1939) is a prominent Black activist, lawyer, and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), a leading advocacy organization for children’s rights.
Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Edelman was deeply influenced by her father, a Baptist minister, who instilled in her the importance of service and justice.
Edelman attended Spelman College, where she became involved in the civil rights movement. She later studied law at Yale Law School, becoming one of the first Black women admitted to the Mississippi Bar. Her early legal work focused on civil rights, providing legal representation to activists and helping to secure voting rights for African Americans.
In 1973, Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund, driven by a commitment to ensuring every child has a fair start in life. The CDF advocates for policies and programs that lift children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect, and ensure their access to quality education and healthcare.
Edelman, who has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award, has authored several influential books, including The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours, emphasizing the importance of community responsibility and social justice.
Her tireless advocacy has made a significant impact on the lives of millions of children, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the fight for children’s rights and social justice.
