Monday, November 20, 2023 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a tireless advocate for human rights and life partner to President Jimmy Carter. Carter died on Nov. 19, 2023 at her Plains, Georgia home. She was 96 years old. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson and Associate Director-Counsel […]
Friday, October 4, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the death of Richard “Dick” Moss, a longtime labor lawyer best known for his work as a leader of the Major League Baseball Players Association, who graciously served on LDF’s Board of Directors for over two decades. A steadfast civil rights advocate, Mr. Moss was an […]
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 | news
Drew Saunders Days III (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.) The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) mourns the loss of Drew Saunders Days III, who began his prolific legal career at LDF as a first assistant counsel and went on to serve as the nation’s […]
Friday, January 5, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. John Flateau, a dedicated public servant, political strategist, and professor whose lifelong commitment to public service in New York City, including in partnership with LDF attorneys, made a profound impact on communities across the region. He died at 73 years old on […]
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund extends its deepest condolences and wishes for comfort to the King Family on the passing of Dexter King. Mr. King’s commitment to preserving the legacy of his father, civil rights icon and LDF client, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has helped advance the fight against injustice. The King Center educates generations […]
Saturday, July 18, 2020 | news
Today, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) mourns the heartbreaking loss of The Honorable John Lewis, an esteemed member of Congress and revered civil rights hero with whom our organization has a deeply personal history. Mr. Lewis passed away on July 17, 2020, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 80 […]
Monday, May 20, 2024 | news
The Legal Defense Fund is saddened by the passing of Christopher Edley Jr., a brilliant legal mind and staunch defender of civil rights and racial justice. Edley Jr. died at 71 years old on May 10, 2024, in Stanford, California. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement: “Mr. Edley, Jr.’s passing is […]
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) mourns the loss of Charles “Charlie” B. Rangel, former U.S. Representative and congressman for New York City’s 13th Congressional district representing Harlem and its neighboring communities. A Harlem native, army veteran, and one of the city’s influential “Gang of Four”, Mr. Rangel was a devoted and dutiful public servant committed […]
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | news
LDF Tribute to Judith McCartin-Scheide Judith Scheide pictured (middle) at National Equal Justice Awards dinner (NEJAD) in 2016 with guests, including Cecilia Marshall (right). (Source: LDF Archives) The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Judith McCartin-Scheide, a longstanding member of the Board of Directors at LDF, advocate, and a philanthropist […]
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 | news
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Cecilia “Cissy” Suyat Marshall. Ms. Marshall was the wife of LDF’s founder and the nation’s first Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a former staff member and long-standing LDF board member, and a tireless devotee to the cause of equal justice. As a […]
