Joseph Gelders

Joseph Sidney Gelders was a multifaceted American figure, initially pursuing a career in physics before dedicating his life to activism. Born in 1898, Gelders' professional trajectory took a significant turn as he became deeply involved in the realms of civil rights, labor organization, and anti-racism, ultimately identifying as a communist. His commitment to these causes led to his involvement in various organizations, including his role as secretary and southern representative of the National Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners in the mid-1930s.

Gelders' activism came at a great personal cost, particularly in September 1936, when he was kidnapped and brutally assaulted by the Ku Klux Klan due to his labor and civil rights organizing efforts. Despite the severity of the attack, which left him with lasting internal injuries, Gelders persevered in his activism. He went on to co-found significant organizations such as the Southern Conference for Human Welfare and the National Committee to Abolish the Poll Tax, working closely with notable figures like Lucy Randolph Mason and Virginia Foster Durr. Unfortunately, the injuries sustained during the 1936 attack ultimately contributed to his death on March 1, 1950, at the age of 51.