Gov. Rick Scott on Monday announced two Jacksonville men — Earl Johnson and Rutledge Henry Pearson — were among three he chose to enter the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
The two were among 10 nominees selected by the Florida Commission on Human Relations for making significant contributions to the improvement of life for minorities in the state.
Johnson was the first African-American to become a member of The Jacksonville Bar Association. He also served as chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and was instrumental during the consolidation of Jacksonville’s government.
Johnson, who died in 1988, was committed to fighting inequality and segregation throughout his life and represented many civil rights activists including Martin Luther King Jr., according to a news release.
His cases helped desegregate many public places in Florida including schools, parks, water fountains and hospitals.
The Earl M. Johnson Memorial Park in Jacksonville was created and named in honor of his work for the civil rights movement, the release said.
Pearson was an American history teacher, civil rights leader and human rights activist who focused on empowering students to become involved through nonviolent means, according to the release.
He first became involved in the Civil Rights Movement as a baseball player when Jacksonville officials chose to close the park rather than allow organized baseball to become integrated.
Pearson, who died in 1967, was elected president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP in 1961 and, under his leadership, peaceful demonstrations were held against segregated hotels and restaurants. Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School in Jacksonville is named in his honor.
Scott also selected Jesse McCrary Jr. of Miami to join the Hall of Fame.
McCrary was the first African-American to serve as Secretary of State in the Florida Cabinet since reconstruction and also was the first black assistant attorney general.