Vernon Jordan, Prominent Lawyer also Pioneer in Voter Rights, Dies
I salute and honor Vernon Jordan, a prominent lawyer who was also a pioneer in ensuring the 1965 Voters Rights legislation was fully realized in the South and sparked my political journey. As a young lawyer he served as the Director of the Voter Education Project (VEP) in Atlanta, Georgia during the years 1966-1970; sponsored voter education projects and encouraged Blacks to run for various offices through the South, including Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
In North Carolina, VEP-sponsored projects educated voters about their rights under the 1965 Voter Rights Act and encouraged Blacks to volunteer to run for various offices. In 1968, I ran for Congress and Dr. Reginald Hawkins ran for Governor. I knew it was unlikely that I would win; I lost royally. The primary goal, however, was to increase registration - which we did significantly.
Many earlier political successes in the South were supported and nurtured by Vernon Jordan of the Voter Education Project, for which we are grateful.
Eva Clayton
Former Congresswoman 1992-2003