Vanguard by Martha S. Jones is a book that explores the lives of African American women who were at the forefront of the civil rights movement. The book tells the story of these women who were not only active in the movement but also played key roles in shaping it. The book is divided into five chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the lives of these women.
Chapter 1: The Women’s Movement
The first chapter of Vanguard introduces the reader to the women’s movement, which was a key influence on the civil rights movement. The chapter discusses how African American women were at the forefront of this movement, and how they used their voices to demand change. The chapter also highlights the importance of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which was a key organization in the women’s movement.
Chapter 2: The NAACP
The second chapter of Vanguard focuses on the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which was a key organization in the civil rights movement. The chapter discusses how African American women were involved in the NAACP, and how they used their positions to advocate for civil rights. The chapter also highlights the importance of the NAACP’s magazine, The Crisis, which was a key platform for civil rights activism.
Chapter 3: The Student Movement
The third chapter of Vanguard explores the student movement, which was a key part of the civil rights movement. The chapter discusses how African American women were involved in this movement, and how they used their voices to demand change. The chapter also highlights the importance of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was a key organization in the student movement.
Chapter 4: The Black Power Movement
The fourth chapter of Vanguard looks at the Black Power movement, which was a key part of the civil rights movement. The chapter discusses how African American women were involved in this movement, and how they used their voices to demand change. The chapter also highlights the importance of the Black Panther Party, which was a key organization in the Black Power movement.
Chapter 5: The Women’s Movement Revisited
The final chapter of Vanguard returns to the women’s movement, which was a key influence on the civil rights movement. The chapter discusses how African American women were at the forefront of this movement, and how they used their voices to demand change. The chapter also highlights the importance of the National Organization for Women (NOW), which was a key organization in the women’s movement.
Conclusion
Vanguard is a powerful book that tells the story of African American women who were at the forefront of the civil rights movement. The book is well-researched and provides a detailed look at the lives of these women. The book is an important contribution to the history of the civil rights movement and is a must-read for anyone interested in this important period in American history.