Sterling Tucker
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Washington, D.C., U.S.
Sterling Tucker | |
|---|---|
| 1st Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia | |
| In office 1975–1979 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Arrington Dixon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21, 1923 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | July 14, 2019 (aged 95) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Alloyce (m. 1948)[1] |
| Children | Michele and Lauren[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Akron[1] |
Sterling Tucker (December 21, 1923 – July 14, 2019) was an American civil and political rights activist and politician in Washington, D.C. He was the first chair of the Council of the District of Columbia and was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of the city in 1978.[1][2]
Tucker was born on December 21, 1923, in Akron, Ohio. He was the fourth of eight children. His father was a workforce foreman for the municipal government.[1]
In 1942, Tucker graduated from West High School.[2] In 1946, he graduated from University of Akron with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. In 1950, he earned a master's degree in psychology from the same school. At college, he met his future wife, Alloyce Robinson.[1]
While in college, Tucker bused tables at the Garden Grille in Akron. He noticed that despite Ohio's public accommodations law, African Americans were routinely turned away. Tucker was fired shortly after insisting that he eat in the main dining room while patronizing the restaurant on his day off.[1]
