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James Groppi (1930-1985) -- Catholic Priest & Civil Rights Activist

Born in Milwaukee WI to Italian immigrant parents, Groppi became a Catholic priest. Being assigned to a predominantly African-American congregation, he became active in the cause of civil rights for Africans-Americans, participating in the 1963 March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 on behalf of the Voting Rights Act. In 1968 Groppi was awarded the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award by the Davenport Catholic Interracial Council. Groppi's ecclesiastical superiors did not always approve of his activities and transferred him to a white congregation. Groppi eventually resigned from the priesthood in 1976 and married. He died of cancer in Milwaukee in 1985.