BELTON, Texas — It’s been 70 years since the groundbreaking Brown versus Board of Education Supreme Court case. The May 17, 1954, ruling said that separate public schools for black and white students were un-constitutional.
A Belton woman shares her story about what it was like to desegregate her high school in Louisiana while the civil rights movement was in full swing.
“We knew it was dangerous, but we knew that we would be alright.”
Facing profound challenges, injustice, racism and discrimination is what life was like for Belton resident Grace Henley Birt back in 1963.
Born on a farm in Woodville, Mississippi, she went to school in a one room schoolhouse, but at the age of 8 moved to Baton Rouge for a better education
“Mississippi education went to the 8th grade, so you couldn’t go any further than that,” said Henley-Birt.
Despite the historic Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, many states remained segregated.
In 1963, which was Henley-Birts 11th grade year, she was one of six students to desegregate Glen Oaks High School in Baton Rouge.
“It was a major step,” said Henley-Birt, “It was sacrifice. It was difficult.
Entering the school on the first day was rough.
“They were saying, don’t let those “N” words stay here. One of the pictures said students don’t let those Negros stay. It was very electrifying,” she said.
Violence was also threatened.
“He was going to try to run us off the road. We had been told if there was any incident like that, we were to call this particular number and it was the FBI. So, we called and gave them the license plate of the car, and we never saw that car again,” said Henley-Birt.
Through it all she remained focused and graduated in the top 12 percent of her class.
“We had to really work hard and keep our focus and get it done. We were determined.”
In April. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board honored Henley-Birt and other African American students who were brave in their fight for civil rights.
“With all the things that were happening in 1963 and 1964, I think we considered ourselves fortunate to take advantage of that challenge, to take advantage of that opportunity, to better ourselves and our race. And to prove to others we are somebody, and we can do what anyone else can do.”
Even though they desegregated Glen Oaks High School, Henley-Birt told 6 News she and other black students were not allowed to attend prom, football or basketball games, and had to be separated from white students during the graduation ceremony in 1964.
She also went on to become one of the first African American students to desegregate Louisiana State University.