During the early 20th century, when lynching was a widespread tool of racial terror in the United States, a determined group of women formed the Anti-Lynching Crusaders to combat this horrific practice. This organization, established in 1922 as an auxiliary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), aimed to raise awareness, mobilize public opinion, and push for federal anti-lynching legislation. Their efforts, though met with fierce resistance, played a crucial role in shaping the larger struggle for racial justice in America.
In the decades following Reconstruction, lynching became a widespread tool of racial terror, particularly in the American South. White mobs murdered thousands of Black men, women, and children; to maintain white supremacy and enforce racial subjugation. Between 1877 and 1950, more than 4,000 African Americans were lynched, often under false accusations or for minor offenses that did not warrant legal punishment. Many lynchings were public spectacles, attended by crowds who saw them as entertainment. Perpetrators frequently faced no legal consequences, as local law enforcement and politicians either ignored or actively participated in these acts of violence.
The brutality of these lynchings—often involving torture, mutilation, and burning—horrified Black communities, and activists fought tirelessly for justice. However, despite years of advocacy by figures like Ida B. Wells, the U.S. government refused to take decisive action. By the early 1920s, lynching was no longer just a Southern problem; it had become a national crisis, demanding urgent intervention. In response to this wave of racial terror, a group of Black women launched an unprecedented campaign to eradicate lynching once and for all—the Anti-Lynching Crusaders (ALC).
The Anti-Lynching Crusader(s) was founded in 1922 by Mary B. Talbert serving as National Director and Helen Curtis as 1st Vice Director. Talbert, a renowned civil rights activist, suffragist, and former president of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW).
The Crusaders functioned as a women’s arm of the NAACP’s broader anti-lynching movement. At the time, the organization was pushing for the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, which sought to make lynching a federal crime. With a clear mission, they sought to raise one million dollars to support anti-lynching efforts, recruit one million women to pledge their support, influence Congress to pass the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, and shift the national conversation by framing lynching as a moral crisis rather than just a regional issue.
The Crusaders were led by a group of influential Black women activists, including Mary B. Talbert as National Director, Helen Curtis as 1st Vice Director, M. E. Wilson as 2nd Vice Director, and L. A. Alexander as Treasurer. These women organized one of the most significant anti-lynching movements in history, rallying support through prayers, newspaper advertisements, community gatherings, and church mobilization. They aimed to harness both the anger and vulnerability of Black communities and the moral consciousness of white Americans to eradicate lynching.
The group relied on an extensive network of Black and white women who believed in racial justice. They recruited members, held rallies, distributed literature, and educated communities about the horrors of lynching.
They spread their message through pamphlets, newspapers, and direct community engagement, exposing the brutal realities of lynching and calling on women to take a stand.
Despite their passionate advocacy, the Anti-Lynching Crusaders faced significant opposition. Many white Americans, especially in the South, defended lynching as a necessary tool of racial control. Even within the federal government, Southern politicians blocked anti-lynching legislation, fearing it would disrupt white supremacy. The Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, despite passing in the House of Representatives in 1922, was ultimately defeated in the Senate due to a filibuster by Southern Democrats.
Additionally, many white women’s organizations, including some suffrage groups, were reluctant to join the anti-lynching movement, fearing backlash from their Southern members. This left Black women and a small number of white allies to shoulder much of the burden.
Though the Crusaders disbanded after the Dyer Bill’s failure, their efforts were not in vain. They laid the groundwork for future anti-lynching activism, influencing later campaigns by the NAACP and other civil rights groups. Their work contributed to a growing national awareness of lynching and helped sustain the fight for federal anti-lynching laws—efforts that continued well into the mid-20th century.
A century later, the U.S. Congress finally passed a federal anti-lynching law in 2022, with the signing of the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act—a victory that was over a century in the making. The Anti-Lynching Crusaders may not have seen the fruits of their labor in their time, but their courage and activism played a crucial role in the long struggle for justice.
Sources:
https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/history-lynching-america
https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/lynching/anti_lynching2.cfm
https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/legislative-milestones/dyer-anti-lynching-bill
https://scarletandblack.rutgers.edu/archive/exhibits/show/naacp/dyer
