Mollie Moon

Pioneering civil rights organizer who revolutionized philanthropic activism through creative fundraising

As founder of the National Urban League's iconic Annual Beaux Arts Ball, Mollie Moon (1912-1990) transformed grassroots fundraising into a weapon for racial justice. This Harlem Renaissance icon turned glittering galas into "freedom fuel stations" that funded critical programs during the Civil Rights Movement.

Her signature 1942 "Clothesline Party" - where attendees wore laundry-pinned protest slogans - predated modern awareness campaigns by decades. Through the National Council of Negro Women, Moon pioneered targeted philanthropy that directly supported:

• Voter registration drives
• Fair housing lawsuits
• Anti-lynching legislation

Unlike traditional charities, Moon's events intentionally blended entertainment with political education, creating blueprints for today's "artivism" movements. Her 1963 "March on Washington Fashion Show" funneled proceeds directly to bail funds while showcasing Black designers.