Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) was an African American journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement. She was born into slavery on July 16, 1862, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and became a prominent anti-lynching crusader, suffragist, and advocate for racial and gender equality.

Here are some key aspects of Ida B. Wells’s life and activism:

1. Anti-Lynching Activism: Wells became an anti-lynching crusader after three of her friends were lynched in 1892 in Memphis, Tennessee. She began investigating and documenting cases of lynching, exposing the brutal reality of racial violence in the South. Her investigative journalism challenged prevailing narratives and sought to dispel myths surrounding the justifications for lynching.
2. The Red Record: In 1895, Wells published “The Red Record: Tabulated Statistics and Alleged Causes of Lynching in the United States.” This pamphlet was a groundbreaking work that documented the extent of lynching in the United States and provided statistical evidence to refute the false justifications used to justify these acts of racial violence.
3. Journalism Career: Wells was a pioneering investigative journalist and newspaper editor. She wrote for several black newspapers, including the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight, and later became a co-owner and editor of the Free Speech and Headlight. Her work often focused on issues of racial injustice, violence, and discrimination.
4. Women’s Suffrage: Ida B. Wells was also an advocate for women’s suffrage. She was a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and later worked with white suffragists, although her efforts were often met with racism from some suffrage leaders.
5. Founding the NAACP: Wells was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), established in 1909. However, she eventually distanced herself from the organization due to differences in strategy and priorities.
6. Educational Activism: Wells was involved in education and was one of the founders of the Alpha Suffrage Club in Chicago. She also worked to improve educational opportunities for African American children.

Ida B. Wells left a lasting legacy as a courageous and influential figure in the fight against racial injustice and discrimination. Her work laid the groundwork for later civil rights activists, and she is remembered for her dedication to justice, equality, and human rights. Wells passed away on March 25, 1931.