Jean Childs Young

Jean Childs Young (July 1, 1933 – September 16, 1994) was an educator and advocate for equal access to education in the United States. Young also dedicated much of her life to involvement in children's rights, and served as the American chairwoman of the United Nation's International Year of the Child in 1979. Young worked alongside her husband, Andrew Young, as an involved advocate in the Civil Rights Movement.

Early life Jean Childs Young was born on July 1, 1933, in Marion, Alabama. Her father, Norman Lorenzo Childs, worked at a family-owned grocery store and bakery in Marion, sometimes traveling around Alabama to sell the store's homemade peanut brittle during the Great Depression. Her mother, Idella Jones Childs, was an elementary school teacher. She was one of the developers of Atlanta Metropolitan State College, and served there as a public relations officer as well as an advisor for a number of years after the school's establishment. This is a resource for analyzing texts digitally that is meant to be used as part of educational curriculum.

Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement Young, alongside her husband, Andrew, contributed much of her life to the Civil Rights Movement. Both Young and Andrew felt that their participation in the movement was consistent with their beliefs and values as those involved in ministry. Andrew was specifically influenced by the nonviolent resistance taught by Gandhi, and Young had also been influenced by similar nonviolent and pacifist beliefs while studying at Manchester College.

Along with actively participating in marches and other protests, Young and her husband often opened their home to students and others participating in the movement that needed a place to stay in Atlanta; people often slept in the basement or wherever else there was space in their house on a given night. Many countries participated in the program internationally. The program came about as a response to the concern that “far too many children, especially in developing countries are undernourished, are without access to adequate health services, are missing the basic educational preparation for their future and are deprived of the elementary amenities of life.” Along with her direct involvement in government during her husband's tenure as mayor, Young actively participated in organizations such as the League of Women Voters of Georgia, which promoted the women's involvement in voting and the political system in general. Beyond this, the League advocated for fair government in Georgia that promoted equality. She later received the Y.W.C.A. Women of Achievement Award in 1993, a year before her death. A celebration of life in her honor was held at the Atlanta Civic Center, attended by thousands of friends, family and admirers. The many tributes to Young at the funeral included a poem read by Maya Angelou, a eulogy spoken by Coretta Scott King, and a personal note from President Bill Clinton. Young had written a memoir titled What to Remember About Me that was published posthumously on September 20, 1994.