Biography
Dr. Otis W. Smith was a civil rights activist and the first African-American board-certified pediatrician to practice in the state of Georgia. On June 25, 1957, while attempting to make a phone call a technical malfunction in the telephone lines caused his call to merge with that of a white woman who then called Dr. Smith a racial slur. Dr. Smith allegedly responded with “opprobrious words.” Dr. Smith was arrested that day and on March 10, 1958 was convicted by Peach County Superior Court Judge Oscar L. Long of using abusive language and sentenced to eight months in jail. Smith remained jailed for seven days. On March 17, after appeals from Black and white residents, Long suspended the term upon payment of a $500 fine, placed Smith on probation, and required him to leave the area.
