Women in the Black Power Movement

Mae Mallory

Mae Mallory was born in 1927, and growing up she always practiced self-defense. In hopes of finding a better life for Mae, her mother moved them to the northern cities. Growing up in Harlem many important Black organizations sparked her interest. She joined a multitude of black nationalist organizations and became heavily involved in the politics of segregated schools. A few years after Brown vs. The Board of Education was finalized, her kids still went to segregated schools. She rallied up a group of women and they boycotted junior high schools around Harlem. This group eventually became known as the “Harlem Nine.” These women demanded an “open transfer” policy which meant their children would be able to go to schools that weren't in their district. They were successful in pushing for change and were able to have the Board of Education in New York City establish the fact that de facto segregation existed that needed to change and that people should not be segregated in different areas without it being a law. 

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