Betty Thompson

A former state representative, former university city councilperson, and an activist her entire life,

Betty Thompson fought for racial justice, creating the Martin Luther King Jr. St. Louis Support Group, made up of students from across the metro area. As a diabetic and someone with alopecia, Thompson was also a disabilities advocate, passing legislation to require Medicaid coverage for hair prostheses, transforming her own struggles into the inspiration for life-changing legislation. She was a member of the NAACP, past president of Women in Municipal Government, and a radio show host for over 25 years.

Her mantra of “if you can take it, you can make it” carried her forward through many challenges, and her warmth and encouragement touched the lives of countless St. Louisans. Betty never failed to move people, and got people motivated in the most magical ways. Her signature call to action was legendary: “I need everyone to WAKE up, GET up, SIT up, LOOK up, DRESS up, EAT up, PAY up, PRAY up... and if you cant do that you ought to stay home and shut up.”

Betty Thompson’s sons, Tony and Kwame Thompson, the owners of Kwame Building Group, have carried on her legacy. Read Cori Bush’s congressional remarks on Betty’s legacy here, or head to the link below to read more about her life and legacy.