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My Friend, M.L.

June Dobbs Butts

The late Dr. June Dobbs Butts was a childhood friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — “M.L.,” as she called him. In college, Dr. Butts and King worked together as paid interviewers supporting the research of Professor Ira D.A. Reid. She fondly recalls her friendship with Dr. King, his spirituality, and his commitment to civil rights.

Desegregation Comes Full Circle: Buying the School She Integrated

Leona Tate

Leona Tate, along with three other first-grade students, desegregated New Orleans public schools on Nov. 14, 1960. Tate attended McDonogh 19 Elementary, along with Tessie Prevost and Gail Etienne, while Ruby Bridges attended William Frantz Elementary. As the day progressed at McDonogh, white parents removed their children from the school, leaving Leona, Tessie and Gail as the only students in the building.

Through her work with the Leona Tate Foundation for Change, Tate — with the help of city and school board officials — eventually purchased the abandoned McDonogh 19 Elementary school building. Named the Tate Etienne and Prevost Interpretive Center (TEP Center), the mixed-use facility hosts an education and exhibition space dedicated to the history of New Orleans public school desegregation, civil rights, and restorative justice. The space also includes 25 affordable residential units.

Desegregation of New Orleans schools “with all deliberate speed” was ordered in 1956 by U.S. Circuit Judge J. Skelly Wright. By 1960, integration had not yet taken place, and Judge Wright issued a federal order to gradually desegregate New Orleans schools, beginning with students in first grade, and expanding one grade level each year as the students progressed.

For more on the New Orleans Four, read our feature article, and watch our interviews with Tessie Prevost, Gail Etienne, Dorothy Prevost, and New Orleans Four Legacy Project Founder Diedra Meredith.

Honoring the Legacy of the New Orleans Four

Diedra Meredith

Diedra Meredith remembers first learning about the school desegregation crisis in New Orleans while in third grade. Ruby Bridges, Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost, and Gail Etienne — all first-grade students — desegregated two schools in the city. Years later, Meredith met with Leona Tate, during which Tate shared her intention to purchase the McDonogh 19 Elementary School building that she desegregated on Nov. 14, 1960. That meeting led to the creation of the New Orleans Four Legacy Project.

Desegregation of New Orleans schools “with all deliberate speed” was ordered in 1956 by U.S. Circuit Judge J. Skelly Wright. By 1960, integration had not yet taken place, and Judge Wright issued a federal order to gradually desegregate New Orleans schools, beginning with students in first grade, and expanding one grade level each year as the students progressed.

For more on the New Orleans Four, read our feature article, and watch our interviews with Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost, Gail Etienne, and Dorothy Prevost.

New Orleans School Desegregation: Through a Mother’s Eyes

Dorothy Prevost

In 1960, Dorothy Prevost’s 6-year-old daughter, Tessie, was one of three little girls who desegregated McDonogh 19 Elementary School in New Orleans. Prevost recalls the backlash — including harassment and threats of violence against her family — and how U.S. Marshals reassured her that Tessie was safe in their hands.

Desegregation of New Orleans schools “with all deliberate speed” was ordered in 1956 by U.S. Circuit Judge J. Skelly Wright. By 1960, integration had not yet taken place, and Judge Wright issued a federal order to gradually desegregate New Orleans schools, beginning with students in first grade, and expanding one grade level each year as the students progressed.

For more on the New Orleans Four, read our feature article, and watch our interviews with Tessie Prevost, Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and New Orleans Four Legacy Project Founder Diedra Meredith.

School Desegregation: A 6-Year-Old Faces Angry Crowds

Tessie Prevost

On Nov. 14, 1960, 6-year-old Tessie Prevost was escorted by her father and U.S. Marshals to protect her from the angry crowds outside McDonogh 19 Elementary School. Two years after desegregating McDonogh, Tessie, Leona and Gail integrated a second New Orleans school — T.J. Semmes Elementary — this time facing hostile crowds on their own.

Desegregation of New Orleans schools “with all deliberate speed” was ordered in 1956 by U.S. Circuit Judge J. Skelly Wright. By 1960, integration had not yet taken place, and Judge Wright issued a federal order to gradually desegregate New Orleans schools, beginning with students in first grade, and expanding one grade level each year as the students progressed.

For more on the New Orleans Four, read our feature article, and watch our interviews with Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, Dorothy Prevost, and New Orleans Four Legacy Project Founder Diedra Meredith.

“They Didn’t Want Us” – The Experience of Desegregation

Gail Etienne

Gail Etienne Stripling is one of four little girls who desegregated New Orleans public schools. Etienne Stripling remembers looking out the window of the car driven by a U.S. Marshal, as they made their way to McDonogh 19 Elementary for the first day of class. She recalls seeing an angry mob of people, and fearing that they would hurt her if they could reach her. Two years later, she and others desegregated a second school, and experienced daily mistreatment by white students and teachers.

Desegregation of New Orleans schools “with all deliberate speed” was ordered in 1956 by U.S. Circuit Judge J. Skelly Wright. By 1960, integration had not yet taken place and Judge Wright issued a federal order to gradually desegregate New Orleans schools, beginning with students in first grade, and expanding one grade level each year as the students progressed.

For more on the New Orleans Four, read our feature article, and watch our interviews with Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost, Dorothy Prevost, and New Orleans Four Legacy Project Founder Diedra Meredith.