Viewing page 14 of 252

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Jack (Jackie) Robinson, grandson of a slave and born of parents who were sharecroppers, rose from these humble origins to a position of prominence in the field of sports, in the quest for human rights and the realm of business enterprise.
  
Jack was born in Cairo, Georgia, January 31, 1919. His mother, Mallie Robinson, took him, his sister and three brothers to Pasadena, California in search of a better life. 
  
During his years at UCLA, Jack gained attention as an outstanding athlete. He was the first four letter man in UCLA's history. In 1942, he entered the armed forces, serving as a lieutenant in the 27th Cavalry. His army career was distinguished by his spirited opposition to segregation and bigotry which confronted him and other black servicemen. In 1945 Jack played briefly with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League. Branch Rickey, after a nationwide search, chose Jack to be the first Black man in organized baseball. The history of his single year with the Dodgers Montreal Farm Club and the succeeding ten years with the Brooklyn team are classic in their demonstration of the endurance of the human spirit and the triumph of determination and spirit. Physical abuse, verbal insults, threats to his life and that of his family, segregated living and travel — none of these were sufficient to defeat Jack in his quest for integrated professional


GOOD BYE JACKIE

[[image - black & white photograph of funeral attendees standing outside of a church]]

[[image - black & white photograph of Jackie Robinson in casket]]

[[image - black & white photograph of a group of men in suits]]

[[image - black & white photograph of men, women, children standing in front of a church for Jackie Robinson's funeral]]

12