WW Law

Westley Wallace Law was born onEmancipation Day on January 1, 1923 in Savannah, Georgia. Law attended Savannah State University in (then named Georgia State College) 1942 but his tenure was interrupted by his three year service in the U.S. Army during World War II. He went back and received his Bachelor's of Science in Biology. Law described himself as "one of God's angry men" when it came to civil rights and the plight of his African American sisters and brothers. During his 42 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service Law participated in a sit-in protest at a local luncheon counter in 1961 and was fired from his job as a consequence. When the Kennedy Administration heard of this action Law was reinstated. Law served as president of both the Georgia NAACP chapter from 1953 to 1966 and the Savannah branch for 26 years. He was a maverick in defending the civil rights of the African American community. He is also credited with his great dedication to the art of historic preservation of black history. Through his tireless efforts Laurel Grove Cemetery was declared an historic landmark along with the King-Tisdell Cottage and the Beach Institute Historic Neighborhood. Law fought against the Urban Renewal Administration in October of 1956 by petitioning the NAACP to investigate the proposed flyover for I-16 that would cut West Broad Street in half and destroy many homes and businesses in the process. West Broad Street was recognized as the central hub of African American businesses, entertainment and commerce. His and other community leaders' efforts failed and the flyover was constructed demolishing hundreds of homes, businesses and beautiful architectural gems like Union Station. The silver lining came when he and others established the Savannah-Yamacraw branch of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life & History in 1976. This non-profit entity was successful in garnering funds from Chatham County to open the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in 1993. W.W. Law was awarded two honorary doctorates from both Savannah State University and Savannah College of Art & Design. He passed away at the age of 79 on August 29, 2002 at his home in Savannah, Georgia.