Ida B Wells Advocate

During the progressive era, Ida B. Wells was a strong advocate for African American rights because she was persistent through hardship, she spoke out when she saw discrimination and she was dedicated to her cause. We can see these attributes through her journalism, her protests and the struggles she overcame in her life. One way Ida B. Wells was an effective advocate was in her persistence through hard times, in her early life and in her civil rights career. An example of her persistence in her early life is when her parents died of yellow fever leaving her to take care of her six brothers and sisters at the age of 16 while also going to school. (Steptoe) This major event in her life prepared her for her life as a civil rights activist. Another example of her persistence is when three of her close friends were lynched. (Steptoe) Instead of quitting in fear that she would would too be lynched she continues her fight for African American rights. These two instances prove that Ida B. Wells was persistent even through hard times. Persistence is an important characteristic as an advocate, one that Ida B. wells possessed. Another quality that made Wells a noteworthy advocate is that she refused to stay quiet about injustice. An extraordinary example of this is when she …show more content…
Wells was dedicated to her cause, it was her entire life, something that made her an effective advocate. She was a strong advocate for anti-lynching campaigns, she led a protest in front of the white house calling for reforms to the law. (Biography.com) She set aside other parts of her life and made her cause her main priority, showing her dedication. Wells is quoted saying, "I felt that one had better die fighting against injustice than to die like a dog or a rat in a trap." (Wells, Ida B.) This quote is powerful, she would rather die for her cause than stand on the sidelines. Wells’ dedication is unmatched, she devoted her life to her cause, and it can be seen through her words and