LOS ANGELES, CA — The NAACP released the following statement regarding a donation made by Warren and Oveta Gardner:
The NAACP is honored and gratefully gives thanks to the memory of Mr. Warren Gardner and his devoted wife Oveta Gardner, who have given one of the largest ever single posthumous donations to the NAACP.
In addition to being lifetime members of the organization, Ms. Gardner bequeathed $736,330.32 after her passing last year, in memory of herself and her husband, who preceded her in death in 1992.
“This selfless gift from Oveta Gardner and Warren Gardner exemplifies such a high-level of thoughtfulness and commitment to the cause of justice and freedom, that we are both amazed and humbled,” said NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks. “It not only confirms their commitment to the protection of civil rights during their lifetime, but is a gift that works to ensure those protections remain for future generations,”
Oveta Kellogg was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, while Warren Gardner was born in Harlem, New York in Depression era. During World War II, she joined a nursing program at Hampton Institute – today’s Hampton University, where she met Warren, who attended Hampton after enlisting in the U.S. Navy during the war.
After his graduation in 1947, the Gardner’s moved to New York and were married in 1949. Oveta became an office manager at an oil corporation and Warren attended Syracuse University, earning a master’s degree in journalism.
While at Syracuse, Warren wrote his thesis about the NAACP, beginning a longtime connection and admiration with the civil rights association. His career in journalism later evolved into political advocacy, and Warren Gardener later served as an assistant press secretary for former Governor, Presidential Candidate and Philanthropist Nelson Rockefeller. He later worked for the federal government as a director of communications until his retirement.
The Gardner’s only son, Douglas, died before Oveta passed away at the age of 90 last year. According to their nephew, George Kellogg, the family was heavily involved with charities and fundraising during their lives which speaks for how big their hearts were.
The NAACP is humbled by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner for their lifelong support of the NAACP and are honored to share their story and salute their legacy of socially-conscious giving.”
