Little Rock Nine: School Integration, Resistance, and Personal Resilience

Melba is chosen to integrate Central High School

She becomes one of the Little Rock Nine

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court ruling that ended legal school segregation

Governor Orval Faubus blocks integration

Uses the National Guard to stop Black students from entering Central High

President Dwight D. Eisenhower sends federal troops

Troops protect the Little Rock Nine and enforce integration

Melba enters Central High

Faces violent racism and harassment from white students

Melba is isolated at school

Most white students refuse to talk to or help her

Acid is thrown into Melba's eyes

One of the most dangerous attacks against her

Link secretly helps Melba

Warns her about attacks and protects her from danger

Grandma India teaches Melba nonviolence

Helps Melba survive emotionally and mentally

Harassment at Central High worsens

Students become more violent because adults rarely punish them

Melba becomes emotionally exhausted

Constant fear and stress traumatize her

School elections become segregated

Shows racism affected even student activities and leadership

Mother Lois almost loses her teaching job

Punished because Melba continues integration

Ernie Green graduates

First Black student to graduate from Central High

Bomb threats surround graduation

Racists try intimidating Black students and supporters

Link asks Melba to leave with him

Melba refuses because she believes integration is important

Governor Faubus shuts down Little Rock schools

Creates the 'Lost Year' to stop integration

Grandma India dies

Major emotional loss for Melba

Melba moves to California

NAACP helps her safely continue school