During the civil rights movement, the NAACP Youth Councils were actively involved in demonstrations, protests, sit-ins, and seminars to promote the concept of equality and fair society across the United States. In the 1950s, the councils pushed for integrated schools and better education for black students. They were the instigators behind several educational milestone moments in the Movement such as
Autherine Lucy's integration of Alabama University and the
Little Rock Nine's accomplishments. In 1960,
Velma Hill was elected the president of the Illinois based NAACP Youth council. She led a "wade-in" at the South Side Chicago Rainbow Beach, effectively desegregating the public beach. The largest NAACP Youth Council during the Civil Rights Movement was the Peekskill, NY NAACP Youth Council from 1955 to 1956. The Council had over 400 members and over 80% were white. The President was Offie Wortham. The largest NAACP College Chapter during the Movement was the Antioch College NAACP College Chapter in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Over 90% of the members were white. The youth Councils were devoted to creating better job opportunities for black Americans during the movement. By picketing and boycotting stores they put pressure on the local employers to change their hiring policies. These actions led to the hiring of more black citizens to work in stores and more employment opportunities. In 1961, Pittsburgh activist Dorothy Williams led the local council in protests that opened up jobs for black Americans in shoe stores, outlets, and numerous
department stores. In 1965, the NAACP decided that the Youth Councils needed to evolve to address more directly the situations in the inner cities. The councils became specifically in involved in the Community Action Project which centered on providing better education, housing, and employment options for poor black citizens living in the inner cities. The work that they accomplished through this program was largely successful. They were one of the leading forces behind the abolishment of urban slums and poor inner-city regions throughout the United States. In addition to their founding principles, the councils had four goals for this time in particular. They wanted "(1) to inform youth of the problems affecting black and other minority groups; (2) to advance the economic, educational, social and political status of black people and other minority groups; (3) to stimulate an appreciation of the black contribution to civilization; and (4) to develop an intelligent and militant youth leadership through devising, working out and pursuing local programs." These precepts were held with a passion and vigor which carried the Youth Council through the movement and helped them accomplish many victories. == Current Activism ==