The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In.

The earliest known sit-in for civil rights occurred at the Alexandria (Virginia) Public Library on August 21, 1939.

In Samuel Wilbert Tucker,  Nancy Silcox charts the story of a young African American lawyer who grew up in Alexandria in a family that believed reading and education led to opportunities. When Tucker was refused a library card at his local public library, he organized a sit-in to protest the “whites-only” policy and defended the protesters.

Join author Nancy Silcox for a talk about the story of the sit-in, and Tucker’s work to challenge segregation here in Northern Virginia. At the program there will also be an exhibit about the Arlington Public Library’s Holmes Branch, which while in service was designated for African Americans until the Arlington Library system was desegregated.

About Samuel Wilbert Tucker:

Samuel Wilbert Tucker graduated from Howard University, passed the Virginia Bar exam without going to law school, and went on to fight for justice and public school desegregation through Virginia courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. When asked his advice for young people he said, “We need to keep what progress we’ve made and keep fighting to get more. We’ve got to keep our story told.” Tucker’s story shows how ordinary people can see what is wrong and work to make it right.

This event is for adults and teens in grade 6+. RSVP for an event reminder, attendence is on a first-come, first-served basis.  https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/6273580