ST. LOUIS – Frankie Muse Freeman, a pioneering civil rights attorney, played a crucial role in ending racial discrimination in public housing in St. Louis.
Freeman, who was denied entry to a law firm, established her own practice and became a key legal figure for the NAACP. She served as the lead attorney in a landmark case against the St. Louis Housing Authority, which successfully ended legal racial discrimination in public housing.
Freeman’s dedication to justice and equality was unwavering throughout her career. As legal counsel for the NAACP, she was instrumental in filing a lawsuit against the St. Louis Board of Education in 1949. Her work in civil rights law paved the way for significant legal victories that challenged systemic racism.
In recognition of her contributions, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Freeman as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Commission for Civil Rights, where she served as a commissioner for sixteen years. Her legacy is honored with a bronze statue in Kiener Plaza, a gift from the NAACP to the city of St. Louis.
Freeman’s career spanned over fifty years, during which she received several honorary doctorate degrees and was inducted into the National Bar Association’s Hall of Fame. Her impact on civil rights law and her trailblazing efforts continue to inspire future generations.
Frankie Muse Freeman’s enduring legacy as a civil rights pioneer is commemorated through her numerous accolades and the lasting changes she helped bring about in the fight for equality.