Percy Green II is an American social worker and prominent civil rights activist based in St. Louis, Missouri. Over a career spanning nearly half a century, Green has been a dedicated advocate for racial equality, economic justice, and Black inclusion within the St. Louis region. His grassroots activism and legal challenges have left a lasting impact on American civil rights history.
Green's early activism was closely tied to organized civil rights efforts in Missouri. He was an active member of the St. Louis chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), a pivotal organization in the mid-twentieth-century civil rights movement. Seeking to address economic disparities and employment discrimination more directly, Green also became a founding member of ACTION (the Action Committee to Improve Opportunities for Negroes), which focused on securing job opportunities for Black workers.
Beyond his grassroots organizing, Green is widely recognized as the plaintiff in the landmark United States Supreme Court case McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green. This historic civil rights case established the burden-shifting framework used by courts to analyze claims of employment discrimination, making it one of the most frequently cited cases in American jurisprudence. In addition to his legal legacy and community organizing, Green has continued his advocacy work through various civic engagements, including serving as a board member for the Peace Economy Project.
