Little Rock Central High School

On September 4, 1957, 9 young African-American men and women tried to enter Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. Defying the Supreme Court’s ruling and our victory in Brown v. The Board of Education, Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the “Little Rock 9” from entering the building and desegregating that school for the first time in its history. Though there were many who stood in the way of these brave students, they chose to stand for their right to an education and equality. Today, we thank and celebrate Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark,Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals.