Civil Rights

The NAACP Joplin Branch, established in 1943 by JF Doc Harlow, has played a vital role in advocating for civil rights and community development in Joplin for over 80 years. Throughout its history, the branch has supported important local initiatives such as the start of the Boys and Girls Club and the renaming of Broadway to Langston Hughes Broadway, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to uplifting and empowering the community. 

Ruth Cox’s leadership from 1998 to 2014, the longest in the branch’s history, guided numerous efforts to advance civil and human rights, leaving a lasting legacy of advocacy and progress.