Bethlehem NAACP History

naacplogo

Nationally: The NAACP was founded in New York City in 1909 by an interracial group of prominent citizens who concerted efforts against the barbaric crime of lynching. The NAACP devoted their work to educating the American public to the horrors of mob violence through printed pamphlets and The Crisis magazine.

“Paul Robeson Speaks at
NAACP Banquet” (news article 1947)(first row, l-r) Theodore Dennis, Paul Robeson, C. B. Newell, Director,
District 9  USA-CIO

(back row, l-r) Earl Keyser, President Easton NAACP, Rev. Thomas A. Doran, Asst. Rector Holy Infancy Church, Edward Prime, Program Chairman, Rev. John E. Hurley, Pastor, St. John’s AME Zion Church, and Joseph Long, City Controller, representing Mayor Pfeifle.

thurgood marshall
Thurgood Marshall

Locally: The Bethlehem Branch of the NAACP was founded in 1945 with Theodore Dennis as president. At this time meetings were held in the now defunct Colored Voter’s Association located in South Bethlehem. The Bethlehem Branch pursued inequalities with the same enthusiasm and concern as the National office. For 65 years the Bethlehem Branch has survived the storms of injustice and has found great dignity and renewal of spirit in the constant fight for racial equality.

Today with Esther M. Lee, a civil rights activist, as president, the Branch continues the fight with a main focus on education and concern for today’s youth.

Past Presidents of the Bethlehem Branch NAACP: Theodore Dennis, Booker Francis, Rev. R. Wakefield Roberts, Sampson Taylor, Attorney Pedro Boone, Willard Howard, Sr.
Harold B. Pinckney, Ray Dickerson,
Edward Williams, Dr. Wandalyn J. Enix,
Lillie Brown, Fred Middleton.


Thurgood Marshall was appointed as special counsel in charge of all cases after joining the NAACP legal staff in 1936. First black appointed the Supreme Court.