Left: Women at the 1906 Niagara Movement Conference at Harpers Ferry: Mrs. Gertrude Wright Morgan (seated) and (left to right) Mrs. O.M. Waller, Mrs. H.F.M. Murray, Mrs. Mollie Lewis Kelan, Mrs. Ida D. Bailey, Miss Sadie Shorter, and Mrs. Charlotte Hershaw.

Niagara Movement Facts

What was the Niagara Movement?

The first, collective civil rights movement of the 20th century—1905 to 1910.

"The battle we wage is not for ourselves but for all true Americans."

—W.E.B. Du Bois

Why was the Niagara Movement important?

• It created the first, modern platform for civil rights.
• It cleared the way and charted a course for the NAACP in 1909.
• It marked W.E.B. Du Bois’ first attempt at civil rights organization.
• It rejected Booker T. Washington as the spokesman for African Americans.

"...the spirit of John Brown beckons us to arise and seek the recovery of our rights."

—Reverdy C. Ransom

The Niagara Movement versus Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington was well-known, popular and powerful. He believed that African Americans should focus on agriculture and industrial education, stay out of politics, and not mix socially with whites. The members of Niagara disagreed strongly with Washington’s beliefs. They felt that Washington’s accommodationist policies undermined the struggle for equality. The Niagara Movement demanded equal enforcement of the law for all races and active political involvement at all levels of society.

One of the reasons why the Niagara Movement is not well known today is that Washington used his power and influence to stifle press coverage. Aside from one or two exceptions, only a handful of newspapers owned by members of Niagara reported on the Movement.

What Attracted the Niagara Movement to Harpers Ferry in 1906?

• The area’s natural beauty and history was attractive.
• Storer College provided the facilities for a professional meeting.
• John Brown’s 1859 raid to end slavery converted the town into holy ground.

“A more suitable place for the Second Annual Meeting of the Niagara Movement than Harpers Ferry would have been hard to find.”

—Max Barber

Why was the 1906 Niagara Movement meeting at Harpers Ferry important?

• It was their first public meeting.
• It was their first meeting in the United States.
• Women became full-fledged, voting members of the organization.

"...instead of meeting in secret, we met openly...and had in significance if not in numbers one of the greatest meetings that American Negroes ever held. ...and we talked some of the plainest English that had been given voice to by black men in America."

—W.E.B. Du Bois

CONTACT US:

Niagara Movement Centennial
Harpers Ferry NHP
P.O. Box 65
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
304-535-6029
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