Age, Biography and Wiki

Mary Fair Burks (Mary Fair) was born on 31 July, 1914 in Montgomery, Alabama, is an American civil rights activist. Discover Mary Fair Burks's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 76 years old?

Popular As Mary Fair
Occupation civil rights activist, academic
Age 76 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 31 July 1914
Birthday 31 July
Birthplace Montgomery, Alabama
Date of death 21 July, 1991
Died Place Salisbury, Maryland
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 31 July. She is a member of famous activist with the age 76 years old group.

Mary Fair Burks Height, Weight & Measurements

At 76 years old, Mary Fair Burks height not available right now. We will update Mary Fair Burks's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Mary Fair Burks's Husband?

Her husband is Nathaniel W. Burks (m. 1946)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Nathaniel W. Burks (m. 1946)
Sibling Not Available
Children one

Mary Fair Burks Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Mary Fair Burks worth at the age of 76 years old? Mary Fair Burks’s income source is mostly from being a successful activist. She is from United States. We have estimated Mary Fair Burks's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income activist

Mary Fair Burks Social Network

Instagram
Linkedin
Twitter
Facebook
Wikipedia
Imdb

Timeline

1914

Mary Fair Burks (July 31, 1914 – July 21, 1991) was an American educator, scholar, and activist during the Civil Rights Movement from Montgomery, Alabama.

Burks was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on July 31, 1914, the daughter of Gustavus "Gus" Samuel and Ollie (née Williams) Fair.

1933

She attended Alabama State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English literature in 1933, and Michigan State University, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in the same field in 1934.

Burks then went back to Montgomery to teach English at Alabama State Laboratory High School.

The school’s principal, Nathaniel W. Burks, was a former professor of hers, and the two eventually married and had a child together.

Their son, also named Nathaniel W. Burks, became a physician.

1935

In 1935, Burks was involved in an incident with a white motorist that led to her being arrested by a white police officer.

The incident demonstrated the prevalence of racism in Montgomery to Burks, which she had felt previously shielded from due to her education level and status.

The incident inspired Burks to focus her attention towards advocating for racial equality in Montgomery, and a year later she founded the Women’s Political Council.

The WPC focused its efforts around promoting civic involvement, increasing voter registration numbers, and lobbying city officials to address racist policies.

1940

She was head of the English department at Alabama State College in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Burks continued her own schooling as well by earning her doctorate in education from Columbia University, and she completed further postgraduate studies at universities such as Harvard and Oxford.

1946

Burks founded the Women’s Political Council in 1946, which helped initiate the Montgomery Bus Boycott following the arrest of Rosa Parks in 1955.

At the time of its forming in 1946, the organization was composed of a group of 50 African American community members with occupations ranging from educators to nurses to social workers.

1950

In 1950, Burks stepped down from her position as president of the WPC, explaining that “the position was demanding and I had been in office longer than I intended.” (Burks, 1990).

Burks’ position was succeeded by Jo Ann Robinson, a colleague of Burks’ at the Alabama State College and a fellow member of the WPC.

Burks continued to work with Robinson and maintained an active role in the organization, which Robinson transformed to turn its focus towards the racial inequality experienced by African Americans on public transportation and particularly buses.

1955

From 1955-1956, Burks and the other members of the WPC helped initiate and provide support for the Montgomery Bus Boycott after the arrest of Rosa Parks.

Following the end of the Civil Rights Movement, Burks emphasized the importance of the organization in starting the Montgomery Bus Boycott and therefore the entire movement as well.

1960

In 1960, Burks resigned from Alabama State College after several professors were fired for their involvement in civil rights issues.

Among the other 16 faculty members fired from the college was Jo Ann Robinson, a fellow member of the Women's Political Council that Burks worked closely with leading up to and during the Civil Rights Movement.

Following the end of the movement, Burks moved to Salisbury, Maryland.

Burks was an active member of her community there, where she founded two African American historical societies, worked with the volunteer program of a local hospital, and became a member of the Maryland Arts Council.

1976

In 1976, her journal article “The First Black Literary Magazine in American Letters” was published.

1979

She was appointed to a National Endowment for the Humanities reviewing panel in 1979, and she also taught literature at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore until her retirement in 1986.

1990

Burks later wrote that she created the council as an “outgrowth of scars [she] suffered as a result of racism,” (Burks, 1990).

Burks expressed that “Rosa Parks, Jo Ann Robinson, and members of the Women’s Political Council were trailblazers,” and “Martin Luther King, Jr. was a torchbearer”, claiming that a torchbearer is “one who follows the trailblazer” (Burks, 1990).

1991

Burks died on July 21, 1991.

Burks published numerous literary works, including a review of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk as well as articles on Toni Morrison and other Black authors.

In 1991, Burks contributed to a book titled “Women in the Civil Rights Movement: Trailblazers and Torchbearers”.

The book included segments composed by a variety of different authors, and Burks wrote the “Montgomery Bus Boycott” section.