1932 - Spingarn Medal: Robert R. Moton

On November 8, 1932, Robert Russa Moton, the second president of Tuskegee Institute, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP.

Who was Robert R. Moton?

• Succeeded Booker T. Washington as the president of Tuskegee Institute in 1915.
• Advocated for education and racial uplift through conservative leadership.
• Played a key role in the establishment of the Tuskegee Veterans Hospital, the first medical institution for Black veterans.
• Acted as an advisor on race relations to multiple U.S. presidents, including Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge.

What is the Spingarn Medal?

• A prestigious award given annually by the NAACP to an African American for outstanding achievement.
• Recognizes those who make significant contributions to their communities and the nation.

Moton’s legacy reflects a commitment to education, racial progress, and leadership during a time of immense racial segregation in America.