Freddie Rogers: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Freddie Rogers.jpg|right|thumb|Freddie Rogers in 1975]] | [[Image:Freddie Rogers.jpg|right|thumb|Freddie Rogers in 1975]] | ||
'''Freddie C. Rogers''' (born [[February 15]], [[1922]] in Sumter County; died [[December 29]], [[2004]]) was a steelworker and the first mayor of [[Roosevelt City]] when it incorporated in [[1967]]. | '''Freddie C. Rogers''' (born [[February 15]], [[1922]] in Sumter County; died [[December 29]], [[2004]]) was a steelworker and business owner, and the first mayor of [[Roosevelt City]] when it incorporated in [[1967]]. | ||
Rogers attended Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and earned a certificate in dry-cleaning and also studied business at [[Fairfield Vocational School]]. | Rogers attended Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and earned a certificate in dry-cleaning and also studied business at [[Fairfield Vocational School]]. | ||
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He served in [[World War II]] and married the former Pearlie McCarthy in [[1953]]. For 35 years he worked for [[U. S. Steel]], where he was also active in the [[United Steel Workers of America]], championing civil rights for black workers. | He served in [[World War II]] and married the former Pearlie McCarthy in [[1953]]. For 35 years he worked for [[U. S. Steel]], where he was also active in the [[United Steel Workers of America]], championing civil rights for black workers. | ||
Rogers was active as an entrepreneur in numerous businesses, including a nightclub. He helped to incorporate Roosevelt City and was one of five candidates that qualified to run for Mayor in the [[1968 Roosevelt City municipal election|January 1968 municipal election]]. | |||
Rogers was an active member of the [[First Baptist Church of Roosevelt]]. He died in 2004 of complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He was survived by his wife, Pearlie, three daughters and a son, 13 grandchildren and 5 great | Rogers tallied the most votes in the general election, and won a runoff against [[William Pruitt]]. By his election to mayor, he became the first African American mayor in [[Jefferson County]] and only the second in [[Alabama]]. He helped to found the Alabama Conference, Southern Conference, National Conference and World Conference for Black Mayors. He left office in [[1984]]. | ||
Rogers was an active member of the [[First Baptist Church of Roosevelt]]. He died in 2004 of complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He was survived by his wife, Pearlie, three daughters and a son, 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "Rogers, Mayor Freddie C." obituary (January 2, 2005) | * "Roosevelt City Election Is Tonday" (January 9, 1968) {{BPH}}, p. 16 | ||
* Chamblee, Leonard (January 11, 1968) "Pruitt And Rogers In Mayor Runoff" {{BPH}}, p. 4 | |||
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116449682/mayor-council-sworn-in-city-promised-a/ Mayor, Council Sworn In: City Promised A New Day]" (February 28, 1968) {{BPH}}, p. 4 | |||
* "Rogers, Mayor Freddie C." obituary (January 2, 2005) {{BN}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rogers, Freddie}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Rogers, Freddie}} | ||
[[Category:1922 births]] | [[Category: 1922 births]] | ||
[[Category:2004 deaths]] | [[Category: 2004 deaths]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: Fairfield Vocational graduates]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: U.S. Steel employees]] | ||
[[Category:Labor activists]] | [[Category: Labor activists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: Union leaders]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: Roosevelt City mayors]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: Civil rights activists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: Entrepreneurs]] | ||
[[Category: Deaths from dementia]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:20, 8 March 2024
Freddie C. Rogers (born February 15, 1922 in Sumter County; died December 29, 2004) was a steelworker and business owner, and the first mayor of Roosevelt City when it incorporated in 1967.
Rogers attended Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and earned a certificate in dry-cleaning and also studied business at Fairfield Vocational School.
He served in World War II and married the former Pearlie McCarthy in 1953. For 35 years he worked for U. S. Steel, where he was also active in the United Steel Workers of America, championing civil rights for black workers.
Rogers was active as an entrepreneur in numerous businesses, including a nightclub. He helped to incorporate Roosevelt City and was one of five candidates that qualified to run for Mayor in the January 1968 municipal election.
Rogers tallied the most votes in the general election, and won a runoff against William Pruitt. By his election to mayor, he became the first African American mayor in Jefferson County and only the second in Alabama. He helped to found the Alabama Conference, Southern Conference, National Conference and World Conference for Black Mayors. He left office in 1984.
Rogers was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Roosevelt. He died in 2004 of complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He was survived by his wife, Pearlie, three daughters and a son, 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
References
- "Roosevelt City Election Is Tonday" (January 9, 1968) Birmingham Post-Herald, p. 16
- Chamblee, Leonard (January 11, 1968) "Pruitt And Rogers In Mayor Runoff" Birmingham Post-Herald, p. 4
- "Mayor, Council Sworn In: City Promised A New Day" (February 28, 1968) Birmingham Post-Herald, p. 4
- "Rogers, Mayor Freddie C." obituary (January 2, 2005) The Birmingham News