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Born
Ida B. Wells was born as a slave in Holly Spring, Mississippi. Her parents were freed after the Proclamation.
Her father worked for the advancement of blacks. -
lost her family
A yellow fever epidemic suffered Mississippi and her parents and brother died. She was 16 then. -
start work
He relatives decided her 6 siblings to send various foster families. Idaa started to work at black elementary school to keep her family together. Since her payment was much less than white teachers, she started to be interested in politics of race and improving the education of blacks. -
refused to give up her seat
Wells refused to give up her seat, 71 years before Rosa Parks showed similar resistence on a bus. She hired white attorney and sued the railroad company. She won the case at a local court, However, the railroad company appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court and Wells had to pay court costs. -
writing
She started writing articles about racial injustice while teaching elementary school. She gained reputation and became co-owner and editor of Free Speech and Headlight. She was also interested in lyinching by whites. She did anti-lyinching campaign ad gave lots of speeches. -
Europe
She brought her anti-lyinching campaign to Europe and contributed to spread the spirit. -
married
She married Ferdinand Barnett. She ws one of the first married women who kept her last name along with her husband. -
founded the first civic organization
Wells founded the National Association of Colored Women, and also co-founded the National Afro-American Council. Wells formed the Women's Era Club, the first civic organization for African-American women. -
died
She died at age of 68 in Chicago, Illinois.