Ernest Davidson Washington was born on February 6, 1888, in Macon, Alabama, as the youngest son of Booker T. Washington, the renowned African American civil rights leader, and his second wife, Olivia Davidson. Booker Washington Junior was Ernest’s elder brother. Ernest had three children with his wife, Edith Eugenia Meriwether: Agnes Louise, Margaret Ernestine and Edith Olivia.
Early life and education of Ernest Davidson Washington
From a young age, Ernest was exposed to the civil rights struggles of the day, as his father was a leader in the movement. His father’s dedication to the cause was an inspiration to Ernest and it shaped his own commitment to the betterment of African Americans.
Ernest attended Tuskegee Institute, where his father was the president. He graduated in 1923 with a degree in philosophy and political science. After graduation, Ernest began working with his father as a secretary and advisor. He also helped manage the Tuskegee Institute and the National Negro Business League.
Various works of Ernest Davidson Washington
Ernest then became the first African American to serve as a trustee of Tuskegee Institute. He was also appointed to the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1933, where he served for over twenty years.
Throughout his life, Ernest worked to improve the lives of African Americans. He was a leader in the effort to desegregate public schools, and he was an advocate for fair housing, access to capital, and employment opportunities for African Americans.
Ernest was also a leader in the fight for the right to vote. He worked closely with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was the first piece of legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices in the United States.
Career of Ernest Davidson Washington
In addition to his work in the civil rights movement, Ernest was a successful businessman. He founded the Davidson Realty Company, which developed and managed residential and commercial real estate projects throughout the United States. Ernest also wrote several books, including “The American Negro in Business” and “The American Negro in Politics.” He was also a columnist for the Chicago Defender.
All about Booker Taliaferro Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was one of the most important African American civil rights activists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Due to the emancipation of slaves during the American Civil War, he was able to pursue an education.
Washington attended Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, a school for freedmen, where he excelled, eventually becoming a teacher and principal of the school. In 1881, Washington founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, a vocational school for African Americans in Alabama.
Washington wrote several books about race relations in America, including “Up from Slavery” and “The Future of the American Negro”. He also wrote speeches on race, education, and the struggle for civil rights, and was a powerful orator. In 1895 he gave a speech at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, that became known as the Atlanta Compromise.
Conclusion
Ernest Davidson Washington passed away on September 30, 1968. His legacy lives on through his work in the civil rights movement and his business ventures. He was an inspiration to many, and his life serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right.
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