31 Interesting Facts about Ida B. Wells

Dan September 23, 2023

Ida B. Wells, born on July 16, 1862, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, was a remarkable African American journalist, activist, and suffragist who made significant contributions to the civil rights movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her life and work were dedicated to combating racial injustice, particularly in the form of lynching, and advocating for women’s rights.

Wells began her activism at a young age, as she was inspired to fight for justice when her parents and other African Americans lost their voting rights due to post-Civil War Reconstruction-era policies. She later became a teacher but was fired for her vocal criticism of the unequal treatment of African American students.

One of Wells’ most notable achievements was her fearless investigative journalism. She became the co-owner and editor of the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, where she exposed the brutal realities of lynching in the South. Her investigative reporting on the lynching of three Black men led to her forced exile from Memphis in 1892 after her newspaper’s offices were destroyed.

Wells continued her activism in the North, traveling extensively to speak out against lynching and racial violence. She published influential works like “Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases” and “The Red Record,” which documented the extent of lynching and its causes. She also organized anti-lynching campaigns and founded the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) to address issues facing Black women.

Throughout her life, Ida B. Wells remained a passionate advocate for suffrage and women’s rights, actively participating in the suffragist movement alongside prominent figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Her tireless efforts laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in the United States.

Here are 31 interesting facts about Ida B. Wells to give more information about her.

1. Ida B. Wells was born into slavery on July 16, 1862, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, during the American Civil War.
2. She became an orphan at the age of 16, following the deaths of her parents and a younger brother during a yellow fever epidemic.
3. Despite the challenges she faced, Wells worked as a teacher to support her five remaining siblings.
4. While teaching, she filed a lawsuit against a railroad company for forcibly removing her from a train’s first-class section, sparking her interest in civil rights activism.
5. Wells later became a journalist, writing articles under the pen name “Iola” for a church publication.
6. In 1889, she became a co-owner and editor of the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, where she wrote extensively about racial injustice and discrimination.
7. Wells’ investigative reporting exposed the horrors of lynching in the South, particularly its use as a tool of racial terrorism.
8. Her writings led to threats against her life, and in 1892, her newspaper’s office was destroyed by a mob.
9. Following the destruction of her newspaper, Wells relocated to the North and continued her anti-lynching campaign.
10. She traveled throughout the United States and abroad to raise awareness about lynching and racial violence.
11. Wells published influential pamphlets, including “Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases” and “The Red Record,” which documented the extent of lynching and the complicity of white authorities.
12. She was a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.
13. Wells was a strong advocate for women’s suffrage and helped establish the Alpha Suffrage Club, one of the first Black women’s suffrage organizations.
14. In 1913, she marched in the suffrage parade in Washington, D.C., despite segregationist practices that tried to marginalize African American participants.
15. Wells’ contributions to the suffrage movement laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.
16. She was an early proponent of intersectional feminism, recognizing the interconnected struggles of race and gender in the fight for equality.
17. Wells married Ferdinand Barnett, a prominent Chicago attorney, and they had four children together.
18. She was a founding member of the National Afro-American Council, an organization that advocated for civil rights and social justice.
19. Wells also worked as a probation officer, advocating for the fair treatment of African American youth in the criminal justice system.
20. In her later years, she wrote an autobiography titled “Crusade for Justice.”
21. Wells’ activism and journalism inspired generations of civil rights leaders, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.
22. In 2020, a Pulitzer Prize was posthumously awarded to Ida B. Wells for her pioneering investigative reporting on the horrors of lynching.
23. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in 2021.
24. Ida B. Wells passed away on March 25, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 68.
25. The Ida B. Wells-Barnett House in Chicago, where she lived with her family, is now a National Historic Landmark.
26. Wells’ legacy is celebrated during Black History Month and Women’s History Month for her pioneering work in civil rights and journalism.
27. She is often referred to as the “Queen of the Press” for her fearless reporting on racial injustice.
28. Wells’ activism extended to her involvement in the women’s club movement, where she used her platform to advocate for social and political change.
29. Her work was instrumental in drawing attention to the horrors of lynching and spurring anti-lynching activism and legislation.
30. Wells’ powerful quote, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them,” continues to inspire activists and advocates for justice.
31. Her life and contributions serve as a testament to the enduring power of journalism and activism in the pursuit of equality and social justice.

Ida B. Wells stands as a towering figure in the annals of American history—a fearless journalist, a tireless civil rights activist, and a staunch advocate for women’s suffrage. Her indomitable spirit and unyielding dedication to truth and justice left an indelible mark on the fight against racial violence and discrimination in the United States. Through her powerful words and unflinching courage, she exposed the brutality of lynching and worked tirelessly to bring an end to this heinous practice. Wells’ legacy endures as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us that one individual’s unwavering commitment to justice can ignite change and pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive society. Her impact on journalism, civil rights, and women’s rights continues to resonate today, serving as a testament to the power of relentless advocacy in the pursuit of a better world.