A member of Little Rock Nine passes away this past weekend

Little Rock, Arkansas – The loss of one of their own is being mourned by people throughout the state of Arkansas.

One of the members of the Little Rock Nine, Thelma Mothershed, reportedly passed away over the weekend.

Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals were among the nine students who entered Central High School through the front doors in 1957, but not without a fight.

This year was the 67th anniversary of Central High School’s desegregation, which allowed the Little Rock Nine to enter the building for the first time.

Her birthday is November 29, 1940. She was the oldest surviving member of the group, at eighty-three years old. Everyone was still living up until Thomas’s death in 2010.

The Little Rock School District issued the following statement upon learning of her passing:

“We are really sorry to hear about Mrs. Thelma Mothershed-Wair, a member of the Little Rock Nine, passing away. The Little Rock School District (LRSD) offers its deepest sympathies to her family and her Little Rock Nine family members on behalf of the entire district and its board of directors. The District is dedicated to upholding the principles of fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for all that Mrs. Wair advocated for in order to remember her memory. Her legacy serves as a reminder that education is still a potent weapon for creating and distributing a more equitable society. We shall always treasure her legacy and are appreciative of her enduring influence.”

According to Mayor Frank Scott Jr., we honor her enduring legacy in addition to grieving her passing.

Generations of Americans have been inspired by her bravery and tenacity, and this has left a lasting legacy. She changed the course of history in our city and country forever, along with the other members of the Little Rock 9. After her death, we honor the life she led as a renowned author, educator, and activist. During this trying moment, our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones,” he continued.

Mothershed is regarded as a genuine American hero who, along with the other members, contributed to altering the course of education in our nation.