Theodore McNeal

Theodore D. McNeal (November 5, 1905 - October 25, 1982) was a union organizer, employment opportunity activist, and state legislator in Missouri.[1][2][3] He was the first African American to serve in the Missouri Senate.[4][5]

He was born in Helena, Arkansas and grew up there before settling in St. Louis after high school.[1]

In 1960 he defeated incumbent state senator Ernest J. Hogan in the Dempcrat Party primary and won election to the Missouri Senate. He served for 10 years helping pass landmark civil rights legislation for fairer employment practices.[1]

He served as Curator of the University of Missouri, president of the Saint Louis Police Board. was the first African-American non-alumnus trustee of Washington University in Saint Louis.[6]

The State Historical Society of Missouri has a scrapbook from McNeal's involvement in A. Philip Randolph march on Washington, D.C. to end discrimination in defense work.[7]

Ted McNeal's daughter, Betty McNeal Wheeler, was founding principal of the noted St. Louis City Public School, Metro Academic and Classical High School.

References
  1. Christensen, Lawrence O.; Foley, William E.; Kremer, Gary (October 28, 1999). Dictionary of Missouri Biography. University of Missouri Press. ISBN 9780826260161 – via Google Books.
  2. State, Missouri Office of the Secretary of (July 28, 1961). "Official Manual of the State of Missouri". Secretary of State – via Google Books.
  3. Sr, John A. Wright; Wright, Sylvia A.; Jr, John A. Wright (February 15, 2021). Extraordinary Black Missourians: Pioneers, Leaders, Performers, Athletes, & Other Notables Who've Made History, 2nd Edition. Reedy Press LLC. ISBN 9781681063027 – via Google Books.
  4. Finkelman, Paul (July 28, 2009). Encyclopedia of African American History, 1896 to the Present: J-N. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-516779-5 – via Google Books.
  5. "Theodore McNeal, Union Organizer and Politician born". African American Registry.
  6. "Theodore D. McNeal Award | James E. McLeod Honors & Awards | Washington University in St. Louis". mcleodawards.wustl.edu.
  7. "Theodore D. McNeal Scrapbook | The State Historical Society of Missouri". collections.shsmo.org.
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