Irene McCoy Gaines

Irene McCoy Gaines (October 25, 1892 – April 7, 1964) was an American social worker and civil rights activist who fought against segregation throughout her adult life.

Early life Irene McCoy Gaines was born on October 25, 1892, in Ocala, Florida, but grew up in Chicago.

Fight against segregation In the 1930s, Gaines worked as a social worker while her sons were going through school. There she became aware of the inferior conditions of Chicago's segregated schools and she worked to improve them through her membership in the Citizen's Advisory Committee and the Chicago Council of Negro Organizations, for which she served as president for 14 years (1939–1953). Irene received the George Washington Honor Medal in 1958 and the Fisk University Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 1959.

Gaines was recognized for several awards and achievements which included the Dorie Miller trophy for outstanding community work (received October 2, 1955) and a $50,000 reward she received from the Sears Foundation for neighborhood improvement. The contest was conducted by the NACWC and they believed Gaines was more than qualified and capable to receive the grant and actually produce results due to her constant efforts and interest in issues with housing located in several communities around the state. She continued to seek opportunity for her race and more specifically for the younger generation and women of color. She was known to plan internationally for she wanted to give individuals around the country access to the opportunities she was establishing in Chicago.

Personal life and death Irene Gaines was married to Harris B. Gaines, with whom she had two sons, Charles and Harris Jr.

Gaines died of cancer on April 7, 1964, in Chicago.