Blanche L. McSmith

Blanche Louise Preston McSmith (May 5, 1920 – July 28, 2006) was an African-American civil rights activist, businesswoman and politician.

McSmith and her husband owned an electronics business and were involved in real estate in Anchorage.

[1][2] In 1951, McSmith was one of the founders of the Anchorage, Alaska, branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

[4] McSmith was one of four Black civil rights activists who held an early-1950s sit-in at an Anchorage restaurant known to discriminate against African-Americans.

Many subdivision covenants limited homeowners and renters to “those of the White or Caucasian race.” Such restrictions were legally unenforceable, but were socially enforced by local realtors and developers.

[10] While in office, McSmith proposed the first bill to establish an Alaska Civil Rights Commission.

[2] She was on the board of directors for the Greater Anchorage Area Community Action Agency and was Social Services Manager for the local Head Start Program.

Her father, William A. Preston, was a school principal and a Baptist minister who preached against the evils of racism.

[2] Preston married Los Angeles electrical engineer and businessman William McSmith in 1949.

She was also an advocate for Alaska statehood, flying to Washington D.C., with other Alaskans to lobby Congress and federal officials.

And her hometown, Marshall, Texas, added her name to the Harrison County Museum's Wall of Distinction.