Elizabeth Jennings Graham was born Elizabeth Jennings in New York City in March 1827 (date unknown). She was destined to become a teacher, an early civil rights activist and organist at her church. By 1854, she was a teacher at the private African Free School.
By the 1850s, the horse-drawn streetcar on rails was a common transportation option in New York City. They were operated by private companies and their access was often barred by race.
On Sunday, 16 July 1854, Elizabeth Jennings was going to work as organist for the First Coloured Congregational Church. She boarded a streetcar of the Third Avenue Railroad Company. The conductor ordered her off. She refused and the conductor and a police officer ejected her off the streetcar. She was injured and her clothes were soiled and torn.
The incident was reported by Frederick Douglass in his newspaper and resulted in an organized movement by Black New York City residents to end racial discrimination on streetcars.
Her father filed a lawsuit against the Third Avenue Railroad Company and the conductor in Brooklyn, where the company office was located. She was represented by the law firm of Culver, Parker and Arthur. Her case was argued by the firm’s 24 year-old junior partner, Chester A. Arthur, a future president of the USA. He filed the suit in 1854 and in 1855, the court ruled in her favour.
The judge, William Rockwell, determined “Coloured persons if sober, well-behaved and free from disease, had the same rights as others and could neither be excluded by any rules of the company, nor by force nor violence.” The jury awarded Jennings damages in the amount of $250 (roughly equivalent to approximately $8,400 currently). The very next day, the Third Avenue Railroad Company ordered all of their streetcars desegregated.
A century before Rosa Parks gained fame in refusing to move to the back of the bus, Elizabeth Jennings Graham attained justice in fighting for her rights on transportation. What happened in Brooklyn, New York City, occurred before the US Civil War ended the practice of slavery in the USA!
Nice job, Elizabeth Jennings Graham!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and the proposed topic is: “Bonus Post: Bare Celebrity Review!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 