The first woman to lead a major national organization for civil rights was Ella Baker, who played a pivotal role in the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s. Her commitment to grassroots organizing and advocacy for African Americans’ rights had a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Baker emphasized the importance of collective action and the voices of ordinary people, paving the way for future generations of activists committed to social justice and equality.