The League History
1968
In the general election, the League endorsed the Humphrey- Muskie ticket.
1969
Mr. Henry Jones qualified as the first Negro candidate in the history of Opelika to seek the commission post; the League supported him. In 1970, Mr. William Harper qualified for Place 2 on the Democratic Committee.
1974
Mr. Philipp Tillman, qualified for Place 2 on the Democratic Executive Committee.
1976
Mr. J.C. Moore, was elected president, he served only five months; he was called to work out of the states. On May 3, 1976, Mr. Albert Chambers was elected president, and served until his health failed. Mr. Hardin Jackson was elected president in 1993, and served until his death in April 1998. Mr. Jesse Seroyer, Jr. was elected in June 1998.
1978
The Lee County NAACP, the Lee County Voters League, the ADC, and certain private citizens (Mrs. Mary Frazier Hunter, Mrs. Pearlie Mae Hutchinson, and Rev. R.L. Harrington) filed a civil suit in Federal Court (U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama Eastern Division) requesting that the Commission form of government be abandoned.
1985
The Consent Decree between the Lee County NAACP and the City of Opelika required the City of Opelika to adopt either a mayor-council or manager council form of government.
1986
A referendum changed the Commission form of government with 2,198 votes for and 1,585 votes against the manager council form of government.
1986
the first two Black men ( John Harris and George Bandy) and a White woman ( Mrs. Anne Grady) were elected to the Opelika City Council.
1987
The first diversified City Council uncovered separate breakrooms in the Public Work Department and dismantled this humiliating practice.
1988
The first diversified City Council corrected a discriminatory retirement policy enacted in 1963 that denied laborers and janitors the right to participate in the Retirement System.
1988
The first diversified City Council appointed the first Black female ( Mrs. Birdie Peterson) to the Opelika City School board, which later became the first Black to be elected chairman of the Board.
1989
The first diversified City Council enacted an Affirmative Action Plan that led to the hiring and promotions of Blacks and females who were left out and overlooked.
1990
The first diversified City Council adopted a comprehensive Road Plan and a Drainage and Sewer Plan, which both led to many economic and public work improvements.
1995
The first Black female ( Ms. Patricia A. Jones) was elected to the Opelika City Council.
1996
The first female ( Mrs. Barbara H. Patton) was elected Mayor of Opelika.