Terrell's Sit-In

The protest addressed the movement for women's voting rights, racial discrimination and even segregation at the lunch counter of the department store. It was established on March 3, 1913 and the march occurred in 575 7th Street NorthWest, Thompson's Restaurant. The protesters were upset because of racial discrimination of African Americans and also ruled by white society. Mary Church Turrell was the leader of the protest.

In 1950, Mary Church Turrell challenged segregation in public places by protesting the John R Thompson Restaurant in Washington DC.

In 1953, She was victorious, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated eating facilities were approved, a major breakthrough in the civil rights movement.

About Mary Church Turrell

Mary was born in Memphis, Tennessee on September 23, 1863. She was one of the first African American women to earn a college Degree and became the first black member of the American Association of University Women, after winning an anti-discrimination lawsuit.

In 1887, she moved to Washington DC and taught at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.

She became a national activist for civil rights in women's suffrage and racial equality. She was also member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

She believed that African Americans would be accepted by white society if they received education and job training. So, she dedicated herself to educating and assisting other African Americans.

on July 24, 1954, she died in Annapolis, Maryland.

Citation: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-church-terrell

https://www.womensvote100.org/the-suff-buffs-blog/2020/7/15/mary-church-terrell-black-suffragist-and-civil-rights-activist#:~:text=%5B5%5D%20The%20opportunity%20came%20on,held%20in%20the%20nation's%20capital.