Mae Mallory (June 9, 1927 – 2007)

Mae Mallory was a civil rights activist supporting armed self-defense and school integration.

Generally, she participated in demonstrations against the Vietnam War and the U.S. occupation of the Dominican. 

And believed Black people are masters of their fate – militant forms of Black Power often associated with men.

To That end, she was a persistent advocate for self-defense and the voices of working-class black women in the fight for civil rights.

She became a civil rights activist early in her life and is best known for her involvement in the armed self-defense of African Americans. 

Also, she argued that despite the ruling of Brown vs. Board of Education, the zoning policies of the NYC Board of Education essentially ensured that segregation in the city was still very much in place.

The Harlem  Nine

More importantly, she was the founder of the “Harlem 9,” a group of nine Black mothers formed to protest the inferior conditions of schools in New York City during the 1950s.

Consequently, Harlem nine was formed in 1956; their goal was to advocate for “open transfer” for their children, which would allow them to attend schools outside of their district.

For the most part, schools that weren’t suffering from overcrowding, dilapidating building, and inexperienced teachers.

As a result, the Harlem 9 took action against racism and discrimination in New York. Although they faced much opposition, these brave people made their voices heard: 

• They filed lawsuits against both city officials as well as state legislation for unfair treatment based on race or ethnic background; 
•  
• And boycotted businesses that refused service because it would cause too much trouble (such as restaurants).

Nonetheless, in the end, with a victory in the courts in 1960, Mae Mallory and the Harlem 9 won the right to transfer their children into white schools.

However, this was not enough for the NYC Board of Education, which admitted they had perpetuated “de facto” segregation in their boroughs, a huge step forward for education across all races.

Ms. Mallory supported numerous other civil rights initiatives, including work with Robert F. Williams and the NAACP during Freedom Rides in 1961.”

There she hosted SNCC student riders participating in Monroe, North Carolina.

Accusations of kidnapping 

Despite allowing a white couple to hide out in her home to avoid danger from armed protestors, who had gathered in response to the Freedom Riders; 

Mallory was accused of kidnapping the white couple.

Afterward… 

Due in part to the fear of retaliation from the KKK, Mallory fled from North Carolina to Cleveland, Ohio, where she was captured after six weeks in hiding.

Conversely, while in prison, she worked to publicize her case and shed light on Black women’s experiences in America.

She advocated for separatism, socialism, and self-defense through speeches, letters, and press releases.

In 1964, she was deported back to North Carolina to stand trial for the kidnapping charge.

Although an all-white jury sentenced her to 16-20 years in prison, she was later acquitted in 1965 due to racial discrimination during the jury selection.

Conclusion

Mae Mallory was an incredible woman who fought for change until her last breath. 

She is a prime example of what can be accomplished when we unite and fight for what’s right.

 Mae Mallory continued her activism until she died in 2007. 

We should all strive to be more like Mae Mallory and continue her legacy of activism and self-defense. 

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 Let’s keep Mae Mallory’s memory alive!

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Social Networks and Archival Context – Mae Mallory

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