Date of Award
12-2-2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Johanna Lewis
Abstract
In September 1958, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus declared the four high schools in Little Rock closed in order to avoid court-ordered desegregation. Many organizations throughout the city protested and pushed for a re-opening of the schools. One of these was the Little Rock branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). As a group of educated women with prior activist experiences, the branch was particularly well-positioned to make a difference in the city. Furthermore, the national AAUW organization advocated that, during this period of societal change, branches act as catalysts for rational discussion within their communities. The Little Rock branch fulfilled this call with three distinct efforts. The women surveyed local businessmen to illustrate the school crisis's economic effect. Then, they solicited statements of support when the school board dismissed 44 teachers. Lastly, they worked with other groups to defeat a segregationist amendment on the November 1960 ballot.
Recommended Citation
Ellis, Kara D., "Assuming Responsibility: The Little Rock Branch of the American Association of University Women and the Little Rock School Desegregation Crisis" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 194.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/194
