Celebrating Black History: Fredrick McGhee’s Legacy in Minnesota Law
The inspiring story of Minnesotan Fredrick McGhee, a true pioneer in the fight for civil rights and justice, as we celebrate his legacy this Black History Month. #BlackHistoryMonth #FredrickMcGhee #Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota – As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s shine a light on a remarkable figure from Minnesota’s past, Fredrick McGhee.
Born into the harsh realities of a post-Civil War Mississippi, McGhee’s journey from the slave quarters to becoming Minnesota‘s first African American lawyer is nothing short of inspiring. Working his way through law school in Chicago as a waiter, he eventually made his home in St. Paul in 1889, breaking barriers and setting precedents.
McGhee wasn’t just a formidable lawyer; his voice echoed far beyond the courtrooms of Minnesota. His conversion to Catholicism led him to help establish St. Peter Claver Church, a cornerstone for St. Paul’s African American community.
Politically, he navigated the waters of both major parties, but his most enduring legacy may be his role in founding the Niagara Movement alongside W. E. B. Du Bois in 1905.
This movement, advocating for full civil liberties and an end to racial discrimination, laid the groundwork for the NAACP’s establishment, with McGhee founding Minnesota’s first chapter.
His commitment to justice and equality was profound, driven by personal experiences of discrimination. McGhee’s life and work remind us of the enduring struggle for civil rights and the power of individual dedication to societal change.
