On November 7, 1967, Edward W. Brooke was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his outstanding public service.

Who Was Edward W. Brooke?

• He made history in 1966 by becoming the first Black U.S. Senator elected by popular vote and the first African American senator since Reconstruction.
• He represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate from 1967 to 1979 as a Republican.
• As a senator, he was known for his work in civil rights, affordable housing, and consumer protection.
• He was a strong advocate for the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which helped end racial discrimination in housing.

What is the Spingarn Medal?

• The Spingarn Medal is the NAACP’s highest honor, awarded annually to African Americans who achieve distinguished merit and service.

Edward W. Brooke’s barrier-breaking career and dedication to justice and equality left a lasting impact on American politics.