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