Irene Griffin (activist)

Irene W. Griffin (November 10, 1927 - March 27, 2012)[1] was an African-American activist, and the first black woman to register to vote in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. She was married to Rev. Percy Murphy Griffin, also a civil rights activist in that community.[2]

Activism

Irene was married to Percy Murphy Griffin,[3] and their initial efforts focused on taking on segregationist Judge Leander Perez after Percy returned from serving in World War II. They started a voter registration campaign for black community residents. In 1954, Irene became the first registered African-American woman to vote in Plaquemines Parish. In 1963, their home was bombed due to their activism.[2]

Death

Irene Griffin died aged 84 in 2012.[2]

Further reading

The life of Percy Murphy Griffin : the struggles and victories of a black civil rights activist from Plaquemines Parish

References

  1. "Irene W. Griffin". Tributes. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  2. "Irene Griffin, first black woman to register to vote in Plaquemines Parish, dies at 84". New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  3. The life of Percy Murphy Griffin : the struggles and victories of a black civil rights activist from Plaquemines Parish


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