Born near Clarksdale, Aaron Henry was an
American civil rights leader, politician, and
head of the Mississippi branch of the NAACP.
He was one of the founders of the Mississippi
Freedom Democratic Party, which tried to
seat their delegation at the 1964 Democratic
National Convention. As a leader of the NAACP,
Henry participated in virtually every aspect
of the struggle for equality in Mississippi.
While serving as a voice of moderation and an
advocate of racial conciliation, in 1961, he
joined the Freedom Rides to protest
segregation in interstate bus facilities.
During the Freedom Summer of 1964, Henry
served as Chairperson of the Council of
Federated Organizations. Henry was elected
to the National Board of Directors of the
NAACP in 1965 and the Mississippi House of
Representatives in 1982, where he served
until 1966. Henry's former drug store in
downtown Clarksdale became the site of his
campaign headquarters and NAACP office.
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