RICHMOND, Va. --- Mildred Loving, a black woman whose challenge to Virginia's ban on interracial marriage led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling striking down such laws nationwide, has died, her daughter said Monday.
Peggy Fortune said Mrs. Loving, 68, died Friday at her home in rural Milford. She did not disclose the cause of death.
"I want (people) to remember her as being strong and brave yet humble -- and believed in love," Ms. Fortune told The Associated Press.
Mrs. Loving and her white husband, Richard, changed history in 1967 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld their right to marry. The ruling struck down laws banning racially mixed marriages in at least 17 states.
"There can be no doubt that restricting the freedom to marry solely because of racial classifications violates the central meaning of the equal protection clause," the court ruled in a unanimous decision.
Her husband died in 1975. Mrs. Loving shunned publicity and in a rare interview with The Associated Press last June, insisted she never wanted to be a hero -- just a bride.
"It wasn't my doing," Mrs. Loving said. "It was God's work."
Mildred Jeter was 11 when she and 17-year-old Richard began courting, according to Phyl Newbeck, a Vermont author who detailed the case in the 2004 book, Virginia Hasn't Always Been for Lovers .
She became pregnant a couple of years later, and she and Mr. Loving got married in Washington in 1958, when she was 18. Mrs. Loving told the AP she didn't realize it was illegal.
"I think my husband knew," Mrs. Loving said. "I think he thought (if) we were married, they couldn't bother us."
But they were arrested a few weeks after they returned to Central Point, their hometown in rural Caroline County. They pleaded guilty to charges of "cohabiting as man and wife, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth," according to their indictments.
They avoided jail time by agreeing to leave Virginia for 25 years. They moved to Washington for several years, then launched a legal challenge by writing to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who referred the case to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Attorneys later said the case came at the perfect time -- just as lawmakers passed the Civil Rights Act, and as across the South, blacks were defying Jim Crow's hold.
"The law that threatened the Lovings with a year in jail was a vestige of a hateful, discriminatory past that could not stand in the face of the Lovings' quiet dignity," said Steven Shapiro, the national legal director for the ACLU.
"We loved each other and got married," she told The Washington Evening Star in 1965. "We are not marrying the state. The law should allow a person to marry anyone he wants."
After the Supreme Court ruled, the couple returned to Virginia, where they lived with their children, Donald, Peggy and Sidney. Each June 12, the anniversary of the ruling, Loving Day events around the country mark the advances of mixed-race couples.
Mr. Loving died in a car accident that also injured his wife. "They said I had to leave the state once, and I left with my wife," he told the Star in 1965. "If necessary, I will leave Virginia again with my wife, but I am not going to divorce her."
Comments
While I was reading this, I wondered about something. What if this had been a black man who had married a white woman...I wonder how far this case would have gotten in the legal system? Of course, over time, it would have eventually worked out legally anyway, but I just wonder if they would have had a much harder time if it had been a case of a black man and a white woman? I think it would at that time. Anyway...just wondering.
Of course just my opinion, black men were killed for just looking at white women. I couldn't imagine they would be free to do anything else. Black women were always a more acceptable evil back then. They were used as sex slaves by their masters, and that was acceptable. And even today black women have it just a little easier than the black male in our society.
And we got on the subject of slavery how? I thought the subject was black, white, interracial, love, leaving/staying, divorce, court ruling, devotion, etc. Guess I missed the part about slavery!!!!!!
I wonder why he was not charged with child molestation? "Mildred Jeter was 11 when she and 17-year-old Richard began courting", "She became pregnant a couple of years later", and they "got married in Washington in 1958, when she was 18". Sounds like to me he impregnated a child regardless of her race, if she had been white, that would have made a difference! I realize it was a different time in the 1950's but still 11 and 17 is too young. However, I am sure that she was a great woman and her reputation should not be tarnished becasue she was a victim.
I don't see Mrs. Loving as a victim, although I agree it does seem a little odd that a 17 year old would be interested in an 11 year old but we have to remember, she was 11 when they started courting, "she became pregnant a couple of years later". Young women in the 50's were more mature than your average 13-16 year old girl today. My mother was married at the age of 16 but she was already tending to a house and helping to raise her brothers and sisters (12 children in the family) so although we gasp at the age, circumstances have to be taken into account. All this talk about if she had been white things would have been different...can't we just enjoy a wonderful story about two people that loved each other and survived through adversity. They were married for 17 years before his death, not too many people can say they've been married that long, no matter what race you may be.
no we can't justify that two people loved each other, cause if it was a17 year old black man an a11 year old white woman it would not be a love story it would be murder a white girl outcast by her family an race white people wake up there are still to different standards in the world .white rules/ laws and black persecution diference in white persecution, look at all the case' of today and history. wake up america
thugskinit is not only the black fathers I am white and my granddaugter has 2 babys that ther sorry spermdoners dont help suport I know it is just the times now but come on it is all colores thay sweet talk the ladys and then run. But I think this was a good story of love.
Thugskin, the "black" man succeeds because he works hard for it, not because he's black and runs to marry a "white" woman. You throw out a statistic like "half of all black teenage girls have a STD", why do you think that is? BECAUSE THEY ARE HAVING SEX. Sounds like you are blaming the white woman for the fall of the black man and the troubles black women encounter from the black man. Could be just some men (black and white) are no good.
Personally I think the only thing that needs to be discussed here was that Mildred was a very brave lady to have stood up to the system the way she did. She and her husband loved each other deeply and stayed together through all their trials and troubles, which is something many couples cannot say about their own marriages. I applaud their efforts and wish more couples, whether they be black, white or interracial, would follow their example of loving each other and their families regardless of what may happen in their lives.
Not too many white men back then would be up front and marry someone of a different race, so props for him too. Things have improved but not a whole lot. Being white I'm glared at for considering "taking" someone's potential man because he's black. Who cares who we love?
well said, gnx and whyme. God bless their souls.
Hope I don't start something with this, but it seems to me that in the picture of Mrs. Loving and her husband, she is a very light-skinned person. Perhaps she was a mixed race child also.
Well she almost looks Italian. Dating white women is an unnatural lust that some blackmen have. Racism has convinced them that they are the prize.
Thugskin you are down-right ignorant! I attend a church that is a mixture of several different ethnic background (black included) and we all worship the same God side by side. Just goes to prove, you are attending church for the wrong reason and if your church doesn't allow whites to attend then they are not following God's example and is not a house of God. How in the world is it "unnatural lust" for a black man to date a white woman or vice versus. Although there are still some obstacles when children are involved in mix race marriages, in some places it's becoming more acceptable. We have all been made by the same creator and "God don't make no junk!"!
if you people do not see a problem with the issue of wealthy successful black men running around with their white prizes that ya'll are lost. Should black women only settle for the crackheads and gang bangers. Are blackwomen not worthy of good black husbands.
Thugskin...YOU are part of our racism problem here in the US. Bring the blackness back???? Are you serious? Its time for school to end...go get on your bus. GROW UP!
thugskin, what a painful life you must lead. your opinions expressed here seem so tense. A successful man, or a successful woman, wants someone that compliments their life. Character, intelligence, trust and love are usually considered before skin color. Many financially successful black people marry each other, just like any other race. They feel comfortable with "birds of a feather". By the same token, people often ignore racial barriers when they marry. Other traits come first and race just isn't that important to so many. Your extreme racism is not only encouraged in certain black groups, but it's actually taught in schools and churches and homes. How can racism ever be overcome with your type of attitude? Right now in America, racism is being overwhelmed with good will. It's slow and a long process, but progress is being made. Mildred Loving made as much of a contribution as Rosa Parks, maybe more. Her achievement should be celebrated.
Thaat's it. I am having a stroke. Someone please call 911. Okay, I know it's bizarro Pat. Just kidding. Great post Patricia Thomas.
Wow! PT said something that shows she has compassion, character and a legitimate reason to be consider human. Must have just had her prozac prescription refilled!
Well said patriciathomas!
She is a lovely woman and I appreciate and wish I could thank her for what she have done. There shouldn't have been an issue with inneracial couples to start with. But because Whites were so stupid, difficult, and ignorant they didn't want inneracial couples to marry one another. But Thanks to Mrs. Loving she changed alot by taking the actions to court.
I, was only thinking Romeo and Juliet, A love story
Latashap, in the 50's and early 60's it may have been the white's that were stupid, difficult, and ignorant not wanting interracial marriages but in today's society if you go by what thugskin rights, evidently it's the black race that feels more this way. I have to agreed with PT in her 4:41 post, interracial marriage is being more accepted today and what difference does it make what race you are if you are in love. White women aren't being picked over black women, maybe black men are realizing that race doesn't matter anymore when it comes to love.
She dead, good riddance to the ho!
JMO, I think you're right; there probably would have been a much louder outcry if it had been a black man with a white woman. He might have gotten murdered and she might have been ostracized for life, or at least until the 80's. Thank God they were both courageous enough to love each other and stay together despite the obstacles. Pantherluvcik, I do not agree with you at all that black women have it just a little easier than black men in our society. I have too many black girlfriends who are raising their kids solo and struggling because the kids' fathers have abandoned them and refuse to take equal responsibility for their actions in creating children. And that's just one example of how black women have it just as tough as black men. If I didn't know better, I'd say that statement sounded just a teensy bit sexist. You must not be a black woman.
Mayhem2020, "she dead"??? And we won't even address the rest of your post, HO. Yours is (by far) the most ignorant post I've ever read. Just to let you know, Augusta Tech is offering free GED classes for people who think "she dead" and "ho" are proper. YOU qualify for the "free" program".
Two people defying racism and maybe much more.... for love!!!!...HAPPY ENDING..end of story, close the book. Do not destroy the beautiful memories Mr. & Mrs. Loving"s created and family and friends shared together because of this union.., this relationship lasted 17 years, probably would have been many more had they not met their untimely deaths.
Wow, patriciathomas I never thought I would be agreeing with you about something! But, you were right on in your 4:41 post. Let's celebrate Mr and Ms Loving courage and their love for one another.
Mayham you need your butt kicked for that comment. Just how stupid and insensitive are you? Maybe someone feels the same way about your Wife, Sister, or Mother. Here is a dollar, now go by a clue. This couple is an example of what true love is all about. We all want that kind of love in our relationships but some are not willing to look outside their race to find it. It's a great story.
Interesting comment about black women settling for crackheads, etc. NO women should settle-period. It's about quality, not color of the skin, hopefully. There are loser white men, outstanding white men, loser black men, outstanding black men. (and of course the same goes for women). What's the expression? I'd rather be by myself for the right reasons than with an unsuitable man for the wrong reasons. It is true that there are different aspects of relationships that "appear" to be cultural when in effect, either way, they may be wrong (i.e. some people think that it's ok for a black man to have several different women) or they may be a good thing! (it's ok to date outside of your race). The main thing this article has done is get people talking about an issue and when you have conversation, good change is inevitable! Have a good day!
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