Elizabeth Eckford

Elizabeth Eckford is a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement, best known as one of the Little Rock Nine -- the group of African American students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Eckford became an iconic symbol of the struggle for desegregation when, at the age of 15, she attempted to enter the all-white school alone while facing a hostile mob and the Arkansas National Guard blocking her way.

The images of a stoic Eckford walking alone while being screamed at by an angry white crowd became some of the most powerful photographs of the civil rights era. Her quiet dignity in the face of intense hatred helped galvanize national and international attention to the injustices of segregation. That moment ultimately led President Dwight D. Eisenhower to intervene by sending federal troops to escort the students into the school and enforce integration.

After graduating from Central High, Eckford went on to serve in the U.S. Army and later pursued a college education. Despite the trauma and public attention she endured, she became a lifelong advocate for civil rights and reconciliation. Her experiences, including struggles with post-traumatic stress, have been documented in books and interviews, offering insight into the long-term emotional impact of racial violence.

Eckford has received numerous honors for her role in the civil rights movement, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999, awarded to all members of the Little Rock Nine. She has also worked to educate future generations through speaking engagements and her memoir, "The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High," which recounts her harrowing experiences and the resilience required to move forward. Her story remains a testament to courage, grace, and the enduring fight for justice.