Who Were the Little Rock Nine?
The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine African American students who enrolled at the previously all-white Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. Their enrollment was a test of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
The Little Rock Nine were:
Ernest Green
Elizabeth Eckford
Jefferson Thomas
Terrence Roberts
Carlotta Walls LaNier
Minnijean Brown
Gloria Ray Karlmark
Thelma Mothershed
Melba Pattillo Beals
These brave students faced intense opposition and harassment from segregationists. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus initially prevented them from entering the school, using the Arkansas National Guard. President Dwight D. Eisenhower eventually intervened, sending federal troops to escort the students and enforce their right to attend the school.
The Little Rock Nine’s courage and perseverance in the face of adversity marked a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Their actions helped to accelerate the desegregation of public schools in the United States and highlighted the ongoing struggle for racial equality in education.
Today, the Little Rock Nine are remembered as important figures in American civil rights history. Their experiences continue to serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of equal access to education and the ongoing fight against racial discrimination.