THE LITTLE ROCK NINEThen and Nowedited by Maureen Hearns, MA, MT-BC

Nine African-American teenagers who faced great obstacles and angry crowds in September 1957, and showed the world that no matter how old you are, you can

change the course of history.

ERNEST GREEN Born Sept. 22, 1941 “…warm eyes and

quick smile…” Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 34

“It’s been an interesting year. I’ve had a course in human relations first hand.”

ERNEST GREEN 1st African-American

student to graduate from CHS in May 1958

BA & MA – Michigan State University, 1964

Asst. Secretary Labor, Carter admin 1977-81

Senior Managing Director, Lehman Brothers

Resides in Washington, DC

MELBA PATTILLO Born Dec. 7, 1941 Family believed in the

importance of a good education

“In order to get through this year, you will have to become a soldier. Never let your enemy know what you are feeling.” - Danny

MELBA PATTILLO BEALS Completed HS in Santa

Rosa, CA MA Journalism, Columbia

University in New York Reporter for NBC 1994 – published Warriors

Don’t Cry Communications

Consultant & Journalism Professor in San Francisco

TERRENCE ROBERTS Born Dec. 3, 1941 “Tall, thin…he was a

very verbal person who could be counted on to give the funniest, most intelligent analysis of any situation.”

Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 34

DR. TERRENCE ROBERTS Graduated Los

Angeles HS, 1959 1976 PhD-Psychology

Southern Illinois Univ Professor, UCLA &

Antioch College Clinical psychologist in

private practice

ELIZABETH ECKFORD Born Oct. 4, 1941 “…petite, a very quiet,

private person…. She was regal in her bearing and, like all of us, very serious about her studies.”

Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 34

ELIZABETH ECKFORD

Completed HS with correspondence and night courses

BA, history, Central State University, Ohio

Served in US Army Currently a probation

officer in Little Rock, Arkansas

MINNIEJEAN BROWN Born Sept. 11, 1941 “…my special friend…

we saw each other almost every day;… both of us were tall for our age; we shared daydreams… and our desire to sing.” Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 35

MINNIEJEAN BROWN TRICKEY

Suspended and expelled from CHS

Graduated from NY’s New Lincoln School, 1959

MSW, Carleton Univ. Ontario, Canada

Writer, lives in Canada Continues to work for

social rights and equality

GLORIA RAY Born Sept. 26, 1942 “Delicate in stature,

she was as meticulous about her attire as she was about her studies. Her all-knowing eyes grew even more intense as she spoke in softly measured words.” Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 35

GLORIA RAY KARLMARK Graduated Kansas City

Central HS, 1958 BS, Chemistry/Math –

Illinois Institute of Technology, 1965

Systems Analyst & Technical Writer; published, 39 countries

Currently lives in Amsterdam

JEFFERSON THOMAS Born Sept. 1, 1942 Outstanding track athletic

& president of student council in JHS

Quiet and soft-spoken Subtle, infectious sense of

humor, “the kind that makes you giggle aloud when you’re not supposed to.” Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 34

JEFFERSON THOMAS

Graduated CHS, 1960 Accountant with US

Dept . of Defense Retired, lives in

Columbus, Ohio

THELMA MOTHERSHED Born Nov. 29, 1940 “Small…with a very

pale complexion, her wise eyes peered through thick-lensed horn-rimmed glasses. [Her] heart problem …forced her to rest… to catch her breath.”

Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 35

THELMA MOTHERSHED WAIR Graduated CHS by

correspondence & attending summer school in St. Louis

1970 – MA in Guidance/Counseling Education, Southern Illinois Univ

Lives in Belleville, IL – works with abused women

CARLOTTA WALLS Born Dec. 18, 1942 “…an athlete, very

sleek and wonderfully energetic…a girl-next-door type, always in a good mood, always ready to try something new.” Warriors Don’t Cry, pg. 35

CARLOTTA WALLS LANIER Graduated CHS, 1960 Personally inspired by the life

of Rosa Parks 1968 Bachelor’s degree –

Univ. Northern Colorado Founded own real estate

company – broker, 30 years Contempory inductee –

Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame

Resides in Englewood, CO

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL 1999

Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor

…for their sacrifice and contribution to the cause of equality.

The Congressional Gold Medal

Midway by Naomi Long Madgett (1959)

"I've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back I'm climbing to the highway from my old dirt track

I'm coming and I'm going And I'm stretching and I'm growing

And I'll reap what I've been sowing or my skin's not black I've prayed and slaved and waited and I've sung my song

You've bled me and you've starved me but I've still grown strong You've lashed me and you've treed me 

And you've everything but freed me But in time you'll know you need me and it won't be long.

I've seen the daylight breaking high above the bough I've found my destination and I've made my vow;

So whether you abhor me  Or deride me or ignore me

Mighty mountains loom before me and I won't stop now.                                                    

THE LITTLE ROCK NINEStudying assignments… Changing a world…