HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE CONFERENCE
Established in 1934
The NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference has been in existence for eighty-five years. As a constituent and subordinate unit of the Association, the State Conference works diligently to carry out the mission of the NAACP which is to “ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.”
The NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference began with a group of members meeting at a residence on Juniata Street in Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania. This was the residence of Dr. George A. Walker and his wife Agnes. There were nine people in attendance. Among this group was Mrs. Daisy Lampkin of Pittsburgh, who was the NAACP Field Director, member of the NAACP National Board and Vice President of the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper. Others present were Dr. and Mrs. George A. Walker, Mrs. Sophie B. Nelson, a school teacher and civil rights worker from Pittsburgh, Charles R. Brown, postal worker from Hollidaysburg. John C. Jones of Pittsburgh, Dr. James A. Gillespie and John B. Campbell, both of New Castle. Mrs. Lampkin was a key person at this meeting. She outlined the duties and responsibilities of the State Conference, explained organizational procedures and made suggestions about how the State Conference could assist the National Office in achieving the objectives of the Association. Early objectives included providing support to the National Office in its efforts to end injustices and bigotry throughout the nation, as well as securing voting rights for all citizens and putting an end to mob violence and lynching. On the state level, emphasis was placed on organizing new local branches, and securing fair housing and fair employment.
Since its inception, twenty individuals have served as President of the Pennsylvania State Conference. They are as follows:
| Mrs. Sophia B. Nelson, Pittsburgh Branch Dr. James A. Gillespie, Pittsburgh Branch Dr. George A. Walker, Hollidaysburg Branch Charles A. Brown, Hollidaysburg Branch Dr. Harry Green, Philadelphia Branch Joshua O. Thompson, Ambler Branch Dr. Burrell R. Johnson, Johnstown Branch Attorney Henry R. Smith, Pittsburgh Branch Louis E. Waller, Washington Branch Dr. Fred L. Vaughns, Uniontown Branch Dr. Charles H. Butler, Coatesville Branch |
Thomas A. Smith, Jr., Johnstown Branch Richard P. Burton, Sr., Allentown Branch Charles T. Stokes, Pittsburgh Branch John Shelton, Sr., Chester Branch Burrell A. Brown, Esquire, Clairton Branch Thomas A. Smith, Jr., Bethlehem Branch J. Wyatt Mondesire, Philadelphia Branch Dwayne D. Jackson, Sr., Harrisburg Branch Dr. Joan Duvall Flynn, Media Branch Blanding Watson, Lancaster Branch Kenneth L. Huston (Elected Oct. 19, 2019) |