born 1939
Marian Wright Edelman is an American civil rights activist and founder of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), established in 1973 to advocate for the rights and welfare of children. She is known for her tireless work in promoting access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children and has been a prominent voice in social justice movements for over five decades. Edelman has received numerous honors for her efforts, including the MacArthur Fellowship and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.