Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a member of the Little Rock Nine, will visit McCaskey High School on Nov. 11 and join a public lecture featuring Jane Elliott, whose appearance was announced in October.
Due to health issues, Elliott, the pioneering teacher the educator known for her pioneering “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise on discrimination, will now be participating virtually. She will still offer elements of her lecture and take questions with Brown-Tricky.
Minnijean Brown-Trickey’s actions in 1957 to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, marked a significant moment in American civil rights history. She entered Central High School under the observation of national television, facing resistance and armed guards. Her participation with the Little Rock Nine contributed to the desegregation of public schools in the United States. Since then, Brown-Trickey has been active in civil rights and social justice, receiving the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, the NAACP Spingarn Medal, and recognition from the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute, among others. Under President Bill Clinton, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workforce Diversity at the Department of the Interior, and she continues to engage with youth through Sojourn to the Past, a program that educates high school students about the history of the civil rights movement.
Jane Elliott’s work has been featured on programs like Oprah and The Today Show, encouraging discussions on privilege, prejudice, and empathy.
“We are honored to host Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a key figure in the civil rights movement, and Jane Elliott, whose work has influenced conversations around race and education,” said Todd Mealy. “This event provides an opportunity for our students to engage with two individuals who have impacted American history.”
Brown-Trickey’s address will include reflections on her experiences in desegregation and the role of young people in creating an inclusive future. Her visit, along with Elliott’s virtual participation, are part of the Leon “Buddy” Glover Public Service Project.