Here are some of her most notable accomplishments:
1. Co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
Baker played a key role in the formation of SNCC in 1960. SNCC was a student-led organization that used nonviolent direct action to fight for racial equality in the United States. Baker served as a mentor and advisor to many SNCC activists, including John Lewis, Julian Bond, and Diane Nash.
2. Organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Baker was one of the organizers of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. The boycott was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks, a black woman who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a public bus. The boycott lasted for over a year and ended with the desegregation of public transportation in Montgomery.
3. Worked with Martin Luther King, Jr.
Baker worked closely with Martin Luther King, Jr., and was one of his closest advisors. She helped King develop his nonviolent philosophy of civil disobedience and encouraged him to take a more active role in the civil rights movement. Baker also played a key role in the organization of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
4. Fought for Women's Rights
Baker was also an advocate for women's rights. She was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served on the organization's board of directors for many years. Baker also worked with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and other organizations to fight for women's rights.
5. Honored for her Work
Baker's work was widely recognized and she received many awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. She is considered one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement and her legacy continues to inspire activists today.