arizona fleming (march 23, 1884 – january 18, 1976) was an african-american small business owner from richmond, texas who became part of the civil rights movement by joining a lawsuit against an all-white political club that prevented black voters from participating in the democratic party primary in fort bend county. while john terry's name headed the legal petition, fleming and willie melton provided much of the financial support and work behind the lawsuit. the case was won in united states district court in 1950 and overturned on appeal in 1952. the case went before the united states supreme court in 1953 and african-americans won full voting rights in the county. in 1994 arizona fleming elementary school was opened in fort bend independent school district.