This article is about someone very special that went to Montgomery High School her senior year. Melba Pattillo Beals - a member of the Little Rock Nine.
Melba Pattillo was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 7, 1941. Her parents divorced when she was only seven years old. However, she stayed close to her mom and grandmother, who both had a large impact on her life. Her mother, Dr. Lois Pattillo was an English teacher, and one of the first black students to go to the University of Arkansas. She graduated in 1954.
Melba was 12 years old when the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision was made on May 17, 1954. This decision ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. A little bit over a year later, the Little Rock school board made a plan to integrate Central High School, the previously all-white high school. However, this wasn’t to be done for two more years.
When the students were asked who wanted to transfer to Central High School, Melba signed up immediately. She saw how nice the accommodations were at Central High and saw it as the first step to larger integration. Later that year, she heard about Rosa Parks and how she refused to give up her seat to a white man. This further inspired Melba and gave her hope that things were beginning to change.
After an amazing nonsegregated trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, Melba became determined to be and see the same change happening in Little Rock. While in Ohio, she received a call that she was one of nine picked to start at the previously all-white school. She traveled back home excited to begin at Central High School.
As many of us know (who have taken history), the Little Rock Nine were unfortunately not welcomed with open arms. They faced endless mob brutality that warranted the combat-ready soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division that were deployed by President Eisenhower.
Seeing that the media’s eyes were on her, she quickly mirrored them and took up journalism. At 17, she began selling articles to major newspapers and magazines. This is also when she moved to Santa Rosa, California with help from the NAACP, completing her senior year at Montgomery High School.
She later received a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, and then worked as a news reporter for San Francisco’s public television station, KQED, and NBC’s affiliate, KRON-TV.
Ms. Beals has also appeared on numerous radio and television shows, and written many articles for periodicals such as People and Essence. Her latest book, Warriors Don’t Cry, tells her inspiring story of being a part of the Little Rock Nine, leading to a turning point in America’s history.
To pick up your own copy of Warriors Don’t Cry, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Dont-Cry-Searing-Integrate/dp/1416948821
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