After Robinson's accomplishes in baseball, the born leader became a leader for the Civil Rights Movement. Friends with Martin Luther King Jr., Robinson lead campaigns in Albany, Georgia and Birmingham. He also traveled across the country to enthuse African Americans in their fight for racial justice as a board member of NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). In 1964, Robinson founded the Freedom National Bank in Harlem for African Americans because of the discrimination they experienced at white financial institutions.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/10/-jackie-robinsons-faith-column/2068977/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/10/-jackie-robinsons-faith-column/2068977/
"America is not perfect by a long shot, but I happen to like it here and will do all I can to make it the kind of place where my children and theirs can live in dignity." -Jackie Robinson, 1963 (letter to Malcolm X)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/10/-jackie-robinsons-faith-column/2068977/
Robinson was one of the first African Americans to be Vice President of a major American Corporation, Chock Full of Nuts coffee.
In 1962, Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the first African American to be inducted.
http://www.actiondonation.org/articles/the-life-and-times-of-jackie-robinson.html
In 1962, Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the first African American to be inducted.
http://www.actiondonation.org/articles/the-life-and-times-of-jackie-robinson.html
Below is Jackie Robinson's acceptance speech for his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Robinson was inducted by Ford C. Frick on July 23, 1962 in Cooperstown, New York.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Frick. First let me say how much of a thrill it is to be coming into the Hall of Fame with Bob Feller, Mr. McKechnie, and Mr. Roush. I want to also let you know that I feel quite inadequate here this afternoon, or this morning. But I think a lot of this has been eliminated, because today, it seems that everything is complete.
First of all, I want you to know that this honor that was brought upon me here could not have happened without the great work and the advice and guidance that I’ve had from three of the most wonderful people that I know. And if any of them weren’t here today, I know that this day could not be complete. But, they’re all here and I just hope you don’t mind if I just pay a word of thanks and a tribute to my advisor and a wonderful friend, a man who I consider a father, Mr. Branch Rickey.
And my mother, who taught me so much of the important things early in life. I appreciate no end, my mother Mrs. Robinson. And lastly, ladies and gentlemen, my wife, who has been such a wonderful inspiration to me. And the person who has guided and advised me throughout our entire marriage. I couldn’t have been here today without her help.
And then I...and I must thank the baseball writers…I never thought at all that I would have this wonderful honor coming to me so early in my lifetime. And to have the writers to elect me on the first time is a thrill that I shall never forget. We have been up in cloud nine since the election. I don’t ever think I’ll come down. But I want to thank all of the people throughout this country who were just so wonderful during those trying days. I appreciate it at no end and it’s the greatest honor any person could have and I only hope that I’ll be able to live up to this tremendously fine honor. It’s something that I think those of us who are fortunate again, must use in order to help others. Because it’s such a tremendous honor that we should be able to go out and do things to help. I’m just grateful and I’m sorry I’ve taken so long, but I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it so much. Thank you.”
http://baseballhall.org/remembering-jackie