Mrs. Claudia Nash Thomas, from member to secretary to president of the East St. Louis Branch of the N.A.A.C.P., focused on youth development activities during her two-year leadership tenure. With the assistance of the late W.K. Allen, Spencer jackson, David Owens, and the Perry brothers, a successful membership drive, registering five hundred members and attracting the youth of East St. Louis, was implemented. Moreover, the organization sponsored a well baby clinic under the direction of Dr. John Eubanks and Nurse Goldie Hill. Recognizing an educational imperative, the N.A.A.C.P. membership established a turorial program headed by the late Alice Lucas and Clementine Reeves. Through the efforts of Attorney Billy Jones, David Owens, Lucy Turner, Attorney Louie F. Orr, and Reverend R.L. White, ground work was laid for the eventual integration of the public schools.

During Mrs. Thomas' administration, meetings and activities were held at the Mary Martin Center. A successful banquet, at $2.50 per person, was catered by the church ladies who were members of the N.A.A.C.P. Oners. Thomas' fondest memories is of a visit at the center by one of the national officers, Attorney Gloucester, Regional Director. The Mary Martin Center was also the hub of activities for an intervention campaign focusing on employment and educational benefits for Black veterans.

Not only was Mrs. Thomas active in the N.A.A.C.P., but she involved herself in a number of other community-based organizations: Mental Health Association, Emily Willis Day Care Center, St. Luke A.M.E. Church, Community Concert, United Way, Children's Center for Behavioral Development, and the Y.W.C.A. Mrs. Thomas is a licensed mortician for Illinois and Missouri and a former District 189 teacher. She has been the recipient of numberous awards acclaiming her untiring service to her community; She was the United Way Woman of the Year in 1977 and she received the President's Service award in 1982 from the Y.M.C.A., the Profile of Prominence Award in 1982 from the Metro-East Women.