Civil rights leader and Missouri’s first Black congressman, William L. Clay Sr., dies at 94

William L. Clay Sr., a longtime advocate for civil rights and workers’ rights and Missouri’s first Black congressman, died Wednesday at his daughter’s home in Maryland.

He was 94.

The St. Louis native was known for several significant legislative achievements, including sponsoring the Family and Medical Leave Act, successfully advocating for an increase in the minimum wage and securing greater federal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He also challenged the South African government over apartheid, pushing for U.S. sanctions against the regime.

“He changed a community, he changed a state, and he changed a nation with the work he did in Congress,” said his son, William Lacy Clay. “Whether it was fighting in St. Louis for equal and civil rights or fighting against apartheid in South Africa, he made a difference.”

In 1949, Clay started his freshman year at St. Louis University, which had just integrated, allowing Black people and white women to enroll. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in politics and history.

In 1968, Clay Sr. ran for an open seat in the First Congressional District and became the first African American to win it. He served for more than three decades. He also was one of 13 co-founders of the Congressional Black Caucus, formed in 1971 to represent the interests of African Americans and other marginalized citizens.

“Congressman Clay was a tremendous leader and trailblazer who transformed politics in St. Louis,” said State Sen. Karla May. “He left an incredible legacy that will inspire generations to come to follow in his footsteps of dedicated public service.”

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer called him “one of St. Louis’ proud native sons.” He “dedicated his life to breaking down barriers by standing up for others,” said St. Louis Board of Alderman President Megan Green.

Clay was the fourth of Irving and Luella Clay’s seven children. At the time of his birth, the Clays lived in a four-family flat on Eighth Street before moving to an apartment at 11th and Carr streets. The Clays lived in segregated neighborhoods like the rest of Black St. Louisans in those days.

The family was Catholic, so Clay was enrolled at St. Nicholas’ church school. Reportedly, he was No. 1 in his high school graduating class but he later joked about the number of Blacks in the class quipping,  “There were only ten of us.”

In 1949, Clay started his freshman year at St. Louis University, which had just integrated, allowing Black people and white women to enroll. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in politics and history.

After graduation, Clay was immediately drafted into the Army and sent to Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. He was later transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, where he completed his military service. By the time he returned to St. Louis, he was already married. He and his wife, Carol Ann, had three children.

Clay drove a bus, sold insurance and held other odd jobs. But he had already begun to immerse himself in the volatile world of politics and activism. After joining the local NAACP branch, he became known as a dedicated community organizer. He was often among the crowds of protesters picketing restaurants, organizing sit-ins and pressuring businesses to hire Black workers.

In 1959, Clay ran for St. Louis alderman but lost. He ran again in 1963 and won. By that time, Clay had grown frustrated with the NAACP’s leadership and joined a newer, younger, and more assertive organization — the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).

Inspired in part by sit-ins at First National Bank in East St. Louis, CORE launched the Jefferson Bank and Trust demonstration in August 1963. The issue was jobs — specifically, the bank’s refusal to hire Black residents. The picketing continued for 3½ years.

Clay won his congressional seat on Nov. 5, 1968, against a backdrop of civil unrest across the country. Earlier that year, the nation had endured the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, riots in dozens of cities, a violent police crackdown on protests at the Democratic National Convention and ongoing anti-Vietnam War demonstrations.