Andrew Young Biography

Andrew Jackson Young, Jr. was born March 12, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Young grew up in a middle-class family with his father a dentist and mother a teacher. Even though New Orleans was racially segregated, the rich ethnic diversity of the city gave Young experience in dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds. At a young age, Young’s father instilled in his sons how to defend themselves to prevent anyone from easily intimidating them. (“ Andrew J. Young Biography — Academy of Achievement,” 2010).
As a teen, Andrew Young’s primary interest was athletics, particularly swimming, and track and field. At the age of 15, he enrolled at Dillard University and later transferred to Howard University in Washington D.C. While at Howard, Andrew swam on Howard’s swim team. In the 1950’s, most swimming across the country did not
allow for blacks to swim. Going back to after the Civil War, African Americans could, theoretically, use any public beach or pool they wanted to use. However, in reality, the public facilities were abandoned or, more often, privatized excluding African Americans. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 secured their right to have the same access to swimming facilities as whites.
After graduating from Howard University, Andrew Young chose to study at Connecticut's Hartford Theological Seminary and became an ordained minister.
Working as a pastor in Georgia, Young first became part of the Civil Rights Movement when he organized voter registration drives. He moved to New York City to work with the National Council of Churches in 1957, then returned to Georgia in 1961 to help lead the "citizenship schools" that tutored African Americans in literacy, organizing and leadership skills. Though the schools were a success, Young sometimes had trouble connecting with the rural students in the program. (“ Andrew J. Young Biography — Academy of Achievement,” 2010).
In 1981, Young ran for mayor of Atlanta and elected later that year with more than 50 percent of the votes. As Mayor, he brought in more than $70 million worth of private investments to the city. Andrew observed the lack of swimming pools in the city and saw the need for additional pools, particularly in the inner cities. According to the Academy of Achievement, “[Andrew Jackson] appropriated 1.25 million dollars to make swimming available to inner city
residents.”
While in office, Young was urged to bring the Olympics to the City of Atlanta. Andrew was confident that the city has proved itself ready for the moment of in the spotlight. After Young’s eight years in office, in 1990, the International Olympic Committee awarded the 1996 Summer Games to Atlanta. Andrew Young played an instrumental role in securing the Games for the city and served as co-chairman of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. In addition, Andrew Young was the first black swimmer to receive The International Swimming Hall of Fame’s medallion of honor.
Andrew Young has played an intricate role in my swimming journey. Since I was little, my Grandma took my brothers and me to the Andrew Walter and Young YMCA in South West Atlanta. My Grandma always took a water aerobics class while we played on the basketball court. One day, my Grandma asked if we wanted to join her in the pool. While in the pool, my brother and I caught the attention of the swim director at the YMCA. We eventually joined the swim team and had the honor of meeting Andrew Young. His tenacious spirit coupled with his interest in swimming is the reason swimming has become a part of my life.