Final answer:
Ella Jo Baker was a key leader in the civil rights movement, significantly contributing to the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and advocating for grassroots activism. Her work led to widespread nonviolent protests that played a part in desegregating public accommodations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ella Jo Baker was a seminal figure in the civil rights movement who played a crucial role in the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Influenced by her grandmother’s stories of enslavement, Baker dedicated her life to racial justice. Her expertise in organizing and education was pivotal for the development of local branches of civil rights organizations and for spearheading various initiatives across the United States, such as voting drives. Baker’s advocacy for participatory democracy emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement rather than relying solely on the leadership of educated elites.
In April 1960, Baker’s leadership and activism culminated in the formation of SNCC, a committee that became instrumental in coordinating student-led nonviolent protests, effectively contributing to the desegregation of public accommodations. SNCC was unique in its structure, with students in every leadership position, which fostered a dynamic of fearless activism. This movement extended beyond sit-ins as students executed 'sleep-ins', 'read-ins', and 'pray-ins' to challenge segregation in various public spaces.