Elizabeth Eckford
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Elizabeth Eckford (born October 4, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is one of the African American students known as the Little Rock Nine.
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[edit] Desegregation
On September 4, 1957, she and eight other African American students attempted to enter Little Rock Central High School, which had previously only accepted white students.
They tried again without success to attend Central High on September 23, 1957. The next day, September 24, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent U.S. Army troops to accompany the Little Rock Nine to school for protection. The Little Rock Nine were supposed to go together, but their meeting place was changed the previous night. Elizabeth had no phone,Daisy Bates intended to go to their place early the next day but never made it. As a result, Eckford was alone when she got off the bus a block from the school and tried to enter the school twice, but was stopped by the National Guard. [1] None of the 8 African Americans knew what happened to Elizabeth till they got home and saw it on the news. [2] The following day the students found out the National Guard was being removed, they all couldn't wait to go to school that Monday and start their new school. [3] Elizabeth's family was under incredible pressure and decided to move. To this day she cannot give hugs or take pictures because it reminds her of the cruel men and women she once faced going into Central high. [4]
When Elizabeth grew older she then returned to Little Rock to raise her family, where she was a substitute teacher before becoming a probation officer.[5] On November 6, 1998, Central High School was designated a National Historic Site.[6] Elizabeth Eckford is still a role model for African Americans today and still fights for justice. [7]
[edit] College
She was accepted by Knox College in Illinois but soon returned to Little Rock to be closer to her parents. She also attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and has a BA in history.
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Facing History and Ourselves
- "Civil Rights", Kids Discover, Volume 16, Issue 1, ISSN 1054-2868, January 2006.
- US Information Agency article on Eckford
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Alternate photograph from a different angle by Will Counts.
