Daisy Bates

Daisy Bates
Born	(1914-11-11)11 November 1914 Huttig, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	4 November 1999(1999-11-04) (aged 84) Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Civil rights activist, journalist
Known for	Role in the Little Rock Integration Crisis

Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (November 11, 1914 – November 4, 1999) was an American civil rights activist, publisher, journalist, and lecturer who played a leading role in the Little Rock Integration Crisis of 1957. She is best known for her work on behalf of the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine African American students who were the first to integrate Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas.

Early Life

Daisy Bates was born in Huttig, Arkansas. Her early life was marked by tragedy when her mother was killed by three white men, and her father left her. She was raised by friends of the family, Orlee and Susie Smith. Bates learned about the circumstances of her mother's death at a young age, which fueled her passion for civil rights and justice.

Career

In 1941, Daisy Bates married L.C. Bates, and together they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they started the weekly African American newspaper, the Arkansas State Press. The newspaper became an influential voice for civil rights, advocating for the desegregation of schools and other public facilities.

Little Rock Integration Crisis

Main article: Little Rock Nine

In 1957, Bates played a crucial role in the integration of Little Rock Central High School. As the president of the Arkansas chapter of the NAACP, she was instrumental in recruiting and supporting the Little Rock Nine. Bates served as a mentor and advocate for the students, helping them navigate the challenges they faced from segregationists and ensuring their safety.

The crisis drew national attention when Governor Orval Faubus used the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the students from entering the school. President Dwight D. Eisenhower eventually intervened by sending federal troops to enforce the students' right to attend the school.

Later Life and Legacy

After the events in Little Rock, Bates continued her work in civil rights. She moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Democratic National Committee and on anti-poverty programs. In 1962, she published her memoir, The Long Shadow of Little Rock, which won an American Book Award in 1988.

Bates returned to Little Rock in the 1960s and continued to be active in community work until her death in 1999. Her legacy is remembered as a symbol of courage and determination in the fight for civil rights.

Honors and Recognition

Daisy Bates received numerous awards and honors for her work, including an honorary degree from the University of Arkansas. In 1984, she was awarded the American Book Award for her memoir. In 2001, the state of Arkansas declared the third Monday in February as Daisy Gatson Bates Day, an official state holiday.

See Also

• Civil rights movement
• Brown v. Board of Education
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

References

• Bates, Daisy. The Long Shadow of Little Rock. University of Arkansas Press, 1986.
• Kirk, John A. Daisy Bates: Civil Rights Crusader from Arkansas. University Press of Mississippi, 2010.

External Links

• NAACP Official Website
• National Civil Rights Museum