Primary Sources
Allen, Nimrod B. Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Daisy Bates. 4 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Jan-July 1959 Box 2 Folder 1.
This was a letter written to President Eisenhower (and copied to Daisy) asking the President to please respond to Daisy's pleas for protection from the federal government because the city and state were not doing it. The letter supports Daisy's "fight for democracy".
Bates, Daisy. "Biographical Sketch." Memo. N.d. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
This undated, typed "biographical sketch" is either a resume that Daisy wrote or biographical information she may have provided to someone else about her. It listed her date of birth, education, club memberships and affiliations, and numerous awards she had been given (which were many).
- - -. "Daisy Bates Speech." 1958. MS. Daisy Bates Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
This was a speech written by Daisy Bates and she explained about the teenagers' experiences at Central.
- - -. "Interview with Daisy Bates, 1957 or 1958." Interview with Daisy Bates, 1957 or 1958. Audiotape.
This audio tape of an interview with Daisy Bates in 1957 or 1958 from the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives was very interesting. During the interview, Daisy Bates explained some of the violent acts toward her during those turbulent years. It was also amazing to be able to hear her voice.
- - -. Letter to Aida Hunter. 17 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Aug- Dec 1959 Box 2 Folder 2.
This was a letter from Daisy to someone in California arranging flights and school registration for Melba, one of the Nine. Daisy thanks them for giving her the opportunity to register for school and helping her get settled. This showed us again how responsible Daisy felt for the Nine's success.
- - -. Letter to Edward Becks. 21 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Jan-July 1959 Box 2 Folder 1.
This letter from Daisy to someone in California thanking him for his support in sending telegrams to the President made us realize how many people around the country were closely following the story. It also made us realize how much Daisy worked during this time to get her message out.
- - -. Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 13 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Jan-July 1959 Box 2 Folder 1.
This letter written by Daisy directly to President Eisenhower describes attacks by gunfire and rocks in her home. She appeals to the President to offer protection that local law enforcement is not giving. This letter made us realize how Daisy and LC continued to have their home threatened because of the civil rights work.
- - -. "Report on Little Rock." 3 Nov. 1957. TS. Wisconsin Historical Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Daisy Bates Papers 1946-1966 Box 3.
This transcript of a speech that Daisy Bates gave in New York City On Nov. 3, 1957 helped us understand some of her opinions about the Little Rock Crisis, and learn about some of the details of the integration process.
- - -. This speech by Daisy describes all the forms of intimidation that "Negroes" in the South faced. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1959 Box 3 Folder 5.
This speech by Daisy talks about how Negroes in the South are subjected to lynchings, bombing and other forms of intimidation. Daisy angrily speaks about how the law "looks the other way" when Negroes rights are violated. This showed us how committed she was to the cause of civil rights.
- - -. "A Turning Point in History." N.d. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1960-1966 Box 3 Folder 6.
This speech that Daisy gave (unknown exact date) talked about how Daisy and the Nine felt after seeing Faubus on television announce his decision to call in the National Guard. She said after discussing with the children what to do; they all decided they were willing to try and enter Central the next day anyway.
- - -. "Was it Worth It?" 11 Aug. 1966. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1960-1966 Box 3 Folder 6.
This speech by Daisy almost 10 years after the Little Rock Crisis was really interesting because she summarized how far the Civil Rights movement had come and all of the achievements that were made. However, she pointed out a lot of challenges still to come and how the work was not over.
Beals, Melba Pattillo. White Is a State of Mind: A Memoir. New York: G.P Putnam's Sons, 1999. Print.
This book was a memoir written by Melba Pattillo and it really helped us see what it was like in Arkansas in 1957, and how badly the nine were being treated. We also learned her personal feelings on things, and how she felt about integrating Central High.
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High. New York: Pocket, 1994. Print.
This memoir written by Melba Pattillo herself was very helpful and interesting. We were able to learn a lot of her firsthand experiences because the book had parts from her diary as a high schooler in it.
Bigart, Homer. "Faubus Sees Peace Only If Negroes Quit." New York Times 10 Oct. 1957: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F20A1FFE3A5A177B93C2A8178BD95F438585F9>.
This newspaper article showed us how viciously Governor Faubus tried to stop school integration. It discussed some of the negotiations between Faubus and Eisenhower which was very interesting for us to understand.
- - -. "Little Rock Back on Quiet Routine." New York Times 28 Sept. 1957: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F00F14FC3955137A93CAAB1782D85F438585F9>.
This newspaper article about how the Nine went to class without much uproar was very interesting to us. It clearly showed that the parents were much more of a threat than the other students. Also, the article discussed Faubus's view and the response to it across the country. That was very helpful for us to understand.
Brown, Minnijean. Letter to Daisy Bates. 4 Aug. 1961. MS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence July-Dec 1961 Box 2 Folder 6.
This was a really sad letter from Minnijean to Daisy apologizing for not keeping in touch with her more. She talks about how she is struggling in school with a C+ average and inquiring about the possibility of her getting the $500 scholarship available through the NAACP to continue her studies in college. It made us realize what a difficult time the Nine had after their Central experience.
Congressional Gold Medal. C-SPAN. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. <http://www.c-span.org/>.
This video was a speech by President Bill Clinton given in 1999, about the Little Rock Nine. He was giving them the Congressional Gold Medal, and it was really interesting to see what President Bill Clinton thought of The Little Rock Nine.
Daisy and LC watching Faubus on TV in their home. 2 Sept. 1957. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Photographs Box 1 Folder 2.
This picture of Daisy and LC watching Governor Faubus on TV in their living room was very powerful. We saw the video of him on TV announcing his decision to send in the National Guard and we could see in Daisy and LC's faces their reaction.
Daisy Bates and others during the Woolworth's boycott. N.d. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Photographs Box 1 Folder 1/5.
This undated photograph showed Daisy and others in the NAACP with signs protesting the Woolworth's lunch-counters. It showed us how Diasy continued to be a civil rights activist even after the battle at Little Rock.
Downs, Jerome. Letter to Daisy Bates. 18 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Aug-Dec 1959 Box 2 Folder 2.
This was a letter from a white attorney in San Francisco who attended the University of Arkansas in the 40's. He told Daisy how ashamed he was of the segregationists in Arkansas and how much he supported the fight for equality of the races. He also enclosed a check for $5.00 which we realized happened from supporters all over the country to go to the Nine's future studies.
JmagROCKS. The Little Rock 9 on Oprah. YouTube. N.p., 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 May 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75dhe5Zsy8k&feature=youtu.be>.
This video of the Little Rock Nine on Oprah with some of their fellow white students from Central was very powerful. It showed us how terrible some of the white students feel today for their cruel actions in 1957. It also made clear that one nice person in a crowd of hostility can make a lasting memory.
Johnson, Melvin. Letter to Gloster Current. 5 July 1961. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence July- Dec 1961 Box 2 Folder 6.
This was a letter to the New York director of the NAACP directing funds that went to Elizabeth Eckford's tuition at Central State College. Years later, Daisy and the NAACP managed the Little Rock Nine scholarship funds that helped to pay for the Nine's college education.
KJHS Music Channel. Minnijean Brown Trickey of the Little Rock Nine Speaks to the KJHS Class of 2013. YouTube. N.p., 16 May 2012. Web. 19 May 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CkNVUlf4Q8&feature=youtu.be>.
This video of Minnijean Brown Trickey speaking to a class helped us understand many of her feelings about 1957. It also included some details that helped us get a clearer picture of the process.
LaNier, Carlotta. E-mail interview. 1 Apr. 2014.
This remarkable interview with Carlotta LaNier (formerly Carlotta Walls) really helped us understand the experience at Central better. It was so amazing for us to be able to personally correspond with her and we found it so interesting to hear about her views.
LaNier, Carlotta Walls. A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School. New York: United States by One World, 2009. Print.
This book was written by one of the nine, from her personal experience. This really helped us put ourselves in her shoes, and see what it would have been like, and how she was treated.
Little Rock Nine. N.p.: n.p., n.d. University of Arkansas Libraries: Digital Collections. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://scipio.uark.edu/cdm/search/searchterm/little%20rock%20nine/mode/all/order/nosort/page/1>.
This digital collection of pictures, cartoons, and FBI reports relating to the Little Rock Nine helped us gain primary source pictures, interesting cartoons, and very informative FBI reports about activity at Central and offenses against integration.
Mike Wallace Interview with Governor Orval Faubus. C-SPAN. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. <http://www.c-span.org/>.
This interview was with Mike Wallace and Orval Faubus. It was really interesting to hear what Faubus had to say about the Little Rock Nine.
Miller, Francis. "Brave Hearts: Remembering the Little Rock Nine, 1957." Life. Time, 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://life.time.com/history/little-rock-nine-1957-photos/?iid=lb-gal-viewagn#1>.
This web page had many pictures of the Little Rock Nine, the 101st Airborne Troops, the Arkansas National Guard, and white students at Central in 1957. These pictures helped us understand the scene at Central in 1957.
Mothershed, Thelma. Letter to Daisy Bates. 24 Apr. 1962. MS. Wisconsin Historical Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Daisy Bates Papers, 1946-1966 Box 3.
This letter helped us get an idea for how much responsibility the Nine felt to succeed in college after all that Daisy Bates had done for them.
- - -. Letter to Daisy Bates. N.d. TS. The Little Rock Nine. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
This letter from Thelma Mothershed was really inspiring. In it, Thelma talked about how she wasn't doing very well in science in college and how she didn't want to let Daisy Bates down. It was amazing to find out that the Little Rock Nine kept in touch with Daisy Bates for a long time after they integrated Central High.
OnlajnGramofon. The Staple Singers - Why Am I Treated so Bad. Youtube. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
This song by The Staple Singers was inspired by the Little Rock Nine, and helped us realize how many people felt motivated and were influenced by the Little Rock Nine.
Phillips, Wayne. "Powerful N.A.A.C.P Stands behind the Fight for Racial Integration in the South." New York Times 6 Oct. 1957: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F30E13FB3B5C127A93C4A9178BD95F438585F9>.
This news article really helped us understand the NAACP and feelings for and against it in the 1950s.
Photograph of Jefferson Thomas standing alone waiting for transportation home after school. 17 Aug. 1959. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Photographs Bo 1 Folder 1/17.
This picture is of Jefferson Thomas standing all alone at a corner while a large group of white students are across the street jeering at him. It really showed us how even two years after the integration of Central High School, the Nine were still harassed and treated very badly.
Roberts, Terrance. Letter to Daisy Bates. 25 May 1959. MS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence.
This letter from Terrance Roberts (signed "Terrry") to Daisy showed us how the Nine still kept in touch with Daisy and updated her on their continued studies. He is getting ready to graduate from a high school in Los Angeles and then attend UCLA in the fall.
Roberts, Terrence. E-mail interview. 30 Mar. 2014.
This amazing interview with Terrence Roberts really helped us understand his opinion and the whole experience at Central more clearly. It was truly astounding and it was so intriguing for us to be able to interview him ourselves.
Schultz, Gladys Denny. Letter to Daisy Bates. 13 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Box 2 Folder 2.
This letter really helped us get a sense of how many people around the country supported Daisy's integration efforts.
Soldiersmediacenter. Ernest Green and the Little Rock Nine. YouTube. N.p., 24 Sept. 2007. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MijCzE9Y1DI>.
This video included an interview with Ernest Green that is on our website.
"Transcript of Tape Recorded Discussion between Clarence Laws and The Little Rock Nine - 1957." N.d. TS. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. NAACP Records.
This transcript of a round-table discussion between the Field Secretary for the NAACP and the Little Rock Nine helped us understand some of their thoughts about what could be done better to help students who were integrating.
Unknown. Photo of Minnijean Brown at her graduation. 1959. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Photographs. Box 1 Folder 1/12.
This was a picture of Minnijean Brown at her graduation from New Lincoln School (standing next to a bust of President Lincoln). It was very moving seeing this picture knowing that Minnijean was expelled from Central.
- - -. Speech given about Daisy Bates. N.d. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1946-1966 Box 3 Folder 3.
This was a speech given by an unknown person about Daisy Bates where she is described as the "Rock of Gibraltar" and quoted as saying "I would rather die with a cause than to live with an excuse". It made us realize how responsible Daisy really was for the Nine's safety during the crisis.
Walters, Herb. Letter to Daisy Bates. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Aug-Dec 1959 Box 2 Folder 2.
This was a letter to Daisy from a man in Massachusetts expressing his support for the Nine. Mr. Walters says he is writing to Daisy so the Nine can know how brave they are and that a lot of white people are against the segregationists. This letter made us realize how ordinary people from all over the country cared about what was going on in Little Rock.
XomuzicxluvrXo. Graduation. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaHzCCh0twg>.
This video features Ernest Green talking about his graduation experience.
Secondary Sources
"Alabama Protest against Desegregation." Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement 1954-1985. PBS: American Experience, 2006. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/story/03_schools.html>.
This PBS website gave us some good pictures.
Bledsoe, John T. "Little Rock, 1959. Rally at State Capitol." Library of Congress. Lib. of Cong., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/index.html>.
This website helped us get a very powerful picture of whites protesting integration.
"Constitution of the United States: Amendments 11-27." The Charters of Freedom. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014. <http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html>.
This website helped us understand exactly what rights all Americans were granted under the Constitution that relate to the lead-up to the Little Rock Nine.
Cope, Graeme. "'Dedicated People': Little Rock Central High School's Teachers during the Integration Crisis of 1957-1958." Questia: Trusted Online Research. Cengage Learning, 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-2357250861/dedicated-people-little-rock-central-high-school-s>.
This web site helped us get an idea of what the teachers at Central in 1957 thought of integration and their opinions on the experience.
Draper, Sharon M. Fire from the Rock. New York: Dutton Children's, 2007. Print.
This historical fiction novel helped us get interested in our topic and put ourselves in the Nine's shoes.
Everett. "Governor Orval Faubus D Appears on Tv." Fine Art America. N.p., 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. <http://fineartamerica.com/featured/governor-orval-faubus-d-appears-on-tv-everett.html>.
This website gave us a very powerful picture of Governor Faubus holding up a sign that reads: "Against racial integration of all schools within the Little Rock School District."
Fitzgerald, Stephanie. The Little Rock Nine: Struggle for Integration. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point, 2007. Print.
This book really helped us learn about the specific events in our topic.
- - -. The Little Rock Nine: Struggle for Integration. Minneapolis: Compass Point, 2007. Print.
This book was really good because it talked about the build-up to the Little Rock Nine, and it explained about everything that led up the event, like the NAACP. The book was also good for just understanding what the Little Rock Nine did, because it was very detailed and thorough.
Fradin, Judith Bloom, and Dennis Brindell Fradin. The Power of One: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine. New York: Clarion, 2004. Print.
This book helped us learn all about Daisy Bates' life, from childhood to death. It also detailed her involvement with the Nine.
Greer, Ginny. "Teacher Recalls Memory of '57 Crisis." The Tiger. N.p., 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. <http://tigernewspaper.net>.
This online publication of current Little Rock Central High School newspaper featured an article regarding an interview with John McCullars, a math teacher who taught at Central throughout the 1957 Crisis.
The History Channel website. "Little Rock Nine." History. A&E Television Networks, 2013. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.history.com/topics/central-high-school-integration/videos#little-rock-nine-rev>.
This broad video about the Little Rock Nine helped us get interested and get a background sense of our topic.
Kelso, Richard. The Days of Courage: The Little Rock Story. Ed. Alex Haley. Ney York: Steck-Vaughn Company, 1993. Print.
This book was pretty good because it gave us a basic overview of our topic, when we were first getting started, and didn't know much about the Little Rock Nine.
Levine, Kristin. The Lions of Little Rock. New York: Penguin Group, 2012. Print.
This historical fiction novel helped us get a sense for what it would feel like to be living in Little Rock in 1957.
"Little Rock Central High School: National Historic Site in Arkansas." National Park Service. National Park Service, 28 Dec. 2013. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/chsc/forteachers/lessonplansandteacherguides.htm>.
This website helped us learn a lot of details about the build-up to the Little Rock Nine and about Little Rock during the time-period of our topic.
"Little Rock Nine." The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Central Arkansas Library System, 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. <http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=723#>.
This website helped us get many photographs from the whole process and an actual video from September 4, 1957.
"The Little Rock Nine Changed Schools Forever." The Marquette Educator. Marquette University, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. <http://marquetteeducator.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/the-little-rock-nine-changed-schools-forever/>.
This website provided us with many good quotes and a picture that illustrates soldiers escorting the Nine down the street.
MarquetteU. Little Rock Nine. YouTube. N.p., 2014. Web. 7 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oodolEmUg2g>.
This video had footage from September 4, 1957, and many other interesting primary source components.
Morrison, Toni. Remember: The Journey to School Integration. New York: Houghton, 2004. Print.
This book for children had a lot of photos of the history of school integration as well as the author's imagined thoughts and feelings as she was retelling the story. It really made us realize that the Little Rock Nine weren't much older than we were during this violent battle just to be able to attend school.
Nine from Little Rock. Prod. Charles Guggenheim. Guggenheim Productions, 1964. Film.
This video talked about the different people from Little Rock Nine, and how they felt when they went to school. It also talked about what they did after they graduated from the school.
Nine with guards. Windham Today. Member of Little Rock Nine to speak at ECSU Commencement, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. <http://windham.htnp.com/2013/04/12/member-of-little-rock-nine-to-speak-at-ecsu-commencement/>.
This website provided us with an image of some of the Little Rock Nine with Guards that is featured on our website.
"President Dwight D. Eisenhower." Eisenhower's Warning Still Challenges a Nation. npr, n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2011/01/16/132935716/eisenhowers-warning-still-challenges-the-nation>.
This website gave us a picture of President Eisenhower during his presidency.
Roberts, Terrence. "Equality and Education: The Little Rock Nine 55 Years Later." Interview by Facing History. Facing History and Ourselves. Ed. Julia Rappaport. Facing History and Ourselves, 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.facinghistory.org/voices/equality-education-little-rock->.
This interview of Terrence Roberts helped us get many good quotes and helped us understand the feelings of the Nine.
Somerlott, Robert. The Little Rock School Desegregation Crisis in American History. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2001. Print.
This book really helped us understand the build-up to the Little Rock Nine.
"Special Series: Segregation Showdown at Little Rock." NPR. NPR, 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/series/14158264/segregation-showdown-at-little-rock>.
This series of audio broadcasts about the Little Rock Nine included interviews of the Nine and other people involved at the time. It really helped us understand the hardships of the Nine, and what it was like at the time.
"Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement, 1850-1970." CNNfyi.com. N.p., 1 Feb. 2001. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/fyi/interactive/specials/bhm/story/timeline.html>.
This broad CNN timeline of the Civil Rights Movement helped us get an idea of the historical context and the big picture. Parts of it are in the timeline on our website.
"Touring a Time: 1957." Touring a Time: Central High. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://centralhigh.aetn.org/1957.html>.
This web site helped us learn about the personalities of the nine and had primary source documents regarding hate mail and editorials written by white Central students
Wisconsin Historical Society. N.p., 2014. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. <http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/>.
This website from the Wisconsin Historical Society had many images of Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine that are featured on our website.
Allen, Nimrod B. Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Daisy Bates. 4 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Jan-July 1959 Box 2 Folder 1.
This was a letter written to President Eisenhower (and copied to Daisy) asking the President to please respond to Daisy's pleas for protection from the federal government because the city and state were not doing it. The letter supports Daisy's "fight for democracy".
Bates, Daisy. "Biographical Sketch." Memo. N.d. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
This undated, typed "biographical sketch" is either a resume that Daisy wrote or biographical information she may have provided to someone else about her. It listed her date of birth, education, club memberships and affiliations, and numerous awards she had been given (which were many).
- - -. "Daisy Bates Speech." 1958. MS. Daisy Bates Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
This was a speech written by Daisy Bates and she explained about the teenagers' experiences at Central.
- - -. "Interview with Daisy Bates, 1957 or 1958." Interview with Daisy Bates, 1957 or 1958. Audiotape.
This audio tape of an interview with Daisy Bates in 1957 or 1958 from the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives was very interesting. During the interview, Daisy Bates explained some of the violent acts toward her during those turbulent years. It was also amazing to be able to hear her voice.
- - -. Letter to Aida Hunter. 17 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Aug- Dec 1959 Box 2 Folder 2.
This was a letter from Daisy to someone in California arranging flights and school registration for Melba, one of the Nine. Daisy thanks them for giving her the opportunity to register for school and helping her get settled. This showed us again how responsible Daisy felt for the Nine's success.
- - -. Letter to Edward Becks. 21 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Jan-July 1959 Box 2 Folder 1.
This letter from Daisy to someone in California thanking him for his support in sending telegrams to the President made us realize how many people around the country were closely following the story. It also made us realize how much Daisy worked during this time to get her message out.
- - -. Letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 13 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Jan-July 1959 Box 2 Folder 1.
This letter written by Daisy directly to President Eisenhower describes attacks by gunfire and rocks in her home. She appeals to the President to offer protection that local law enforcement is not giving. This letter made us realize how Daisy and LC continued to have their home threatened because of the civil rights work.
- - -. "Report on Little Rock." 3 Nov. 1957. TS. Wisconsin Historical Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Daisy Bates Papers 1946-1966 Box 3.
This transcript of a speech that Daisy Bates gave in New York City On Nov. 3, 1957 helped us understand some of her opinions about the Little Rock Crisis, and learn about some of the details of the integration process.
- - -. This speech by Daisy describes all the forms of intimidation that "Negroes" in the South faced. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1959 Box 3 Folder 5.
This speech by Daisy talks about how Negroes in the South are subjected to lynchings, bombing and other forms of intimidation. Daisy angrily speaks about how the law "looks the other way" when Negroes rights are violated. This showed us how committed she was to the cause of civil rights.
- - -. "A Turning Point in History." N.d. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1960-1966 Box 3 Folder 6.
This speech that Daisy gave (unknown exact date) talked about how Daisy and the Nine felt after seeing Faubus on television announce his decision to call in the National Guard. She said after discussing with the children what to do; they all decided they were willing to try and enter Central the next day anyway.
- - -. "Was it Worth It?" 11 Aug. 1966. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1960-1966 Box 3 Folder 6.
This speech by Daisy almost 10 years after the Little Rock Crisis was really interesting because she summarized how far the Civil Rights movement had come and all of the achievements that were made. However, she pointed out a lot of challenges still to come and how the work was not over.
Beals, Melba Pattillo. White Is a State of Mind: A Memoir. New York: G.P Putnam's Sons, 1999. Print.
This book was a memoir written by Melba Pattillo and it really helped us see what it was like in Arkansas in 1957, and how badly the nine were being treated. We also learned her personal feelings on things, and how she felt about integrating Central High.
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High. New York: Pocket, 1994. Print.
This memoir written by Melba Pattillo herself was very helpful and interesting. We were able to learn a lot of her firsthand experiences because the book had parts from her diary as a high schooler in it.
Bigart, Homer. "Faubus Sees Peace Only If Negroes Quit." New York Times 10 Oct. 1957: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F20A1FFE3A5A177B93C2A8178BD95F438585F9>.
This newspaper article showed us how viciously Governor Faubus tried to stop school integration. It discussed some of the negotiations between Faubus and Eisenhower which was very interesting for us to understand.
- - -. "Little Rock Back on Quiet Routine." New York Times 28 Sept. 1957: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F00F14FC3955137A93CAAB1782D85F438585F9>.
This newspaper article about how the Nine went to class without much uproar was very interesting to us. It clearly showed that the parents were much more of a threat than the other students. Also, the article discussed Faubus's view and the response to it across the country. That was very helpful for us to understand.
Brown, Minnijean. Letter to Daisy Bates. 4 Aug. 1961. MS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence July-Dec 1961 Box 2 Folder 6.
This was a really sad letter from Minnijean to Daisy apologizing for not keeping in touch with her more. She talks about how she is struggling in school with a C+ average and inquiring about the possibility of her getting the $500 scholarship available through the NAACP to continue her studies in college. It made us realize what a difficult time the Nine had after their Central experience.
Congressional Gold Medal. C-SPAN. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. <http://www.c-span.org/>.
This video was a speech by President Bill Clinton given in 1999, about the Little Rock Nine. He was giving them the Congressional Gold Medal, and it was really interesting to see what President Bill Clinton thought of The Little Rock Nine.
Daisy and LC watching Faubus on TV in their home. 2 Sept. 1957. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Photographs Box 1 Folder 2.
This picture of Daisy and LC watching Governor Faubus on TV in their living room was very powerful. We saw the video of him on TV announcing his decision to send in the National Guard and we could see in Daisy and LC's faces their reaction.
Daisy Bates and others during the Woolworth's boycott. N.d. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Photographs Box 1 Folder 1/5.
This undated photograph showed Daisy and others in the NAACP with signs protesting the Woolworth's lunch-counters. It showed us how Diasy continued to be a civil rights activist even after the battle at Little Rock.
Downs, Jerome. Letter to Daisy Bates. 18 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Aug-Dec 1959 Box 2 Folder 2.
This was a letter from a white attorney in San Francisco who attended the University of Arkansas in the 40's. He told Daisy how ashamed he was of the segregationists in Arkansas and how much he supported the fight for equality of the races. He also enclosed a check for $5.00 which we realized happened from supporters all over the country to go to the Nine's future studies.
JmagROCKS. The Little Rock 9 on Oprah. YouTube. N.p., 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 19 May 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75dhe5Zsy8k&feature=youtu.be>.
This video of the Little Rock Nine on Oprah with some of their fellow white students from Central was very powerful. It showed us how terrible some of the white students feel today for their cruel actions in 1957. It also made clear that one nice person in a crowd of hostility can make a lasting memory.
Johnson, Melvin. Letter to Gloster Current. 5 July 1961. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence July- Dec 1961 Box 2 Folder 6.
This was a letter to the New York director of the NAACP directing funds that went to Elizabeth Eckford's tuition at Central State College. Years later, Daisy and the NAACP managed the Little Rock Nine scholarship funds that helped to pay for the Nine's college education.
KJHS Music Channel. Minnijean Brown Trickey of the Little Rock Nine Speaks to the KJHS Class of 2013. YouTube. N.p., 16 May 2012. Web. 19 May 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CkNVUlf4Q8&feature=youtu.be>.
This video of Minnijean Brown Trickey speaking to a class helped us understand many of her feelings about 1957. It also included some details that helped us get a clearer picture of the process.
LaNier, Carlotta. E-mail interview. 1 Apr. 2014.
This remarkable interview with Carlotta LaNier (formerly Carlotta Walls) really helped us understand the experience at Central better. It was so amazing for us to be able to personally correspond with her and we found it so interesting to hear about her views.
LaNier, Carlotta Walls. A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School. New York: United States by One World, 2009. Print.
This book was written by one of the nine, from her personal experience. This really helped us put ourselves in her shoes, and see what it would have been like, and how she was treated.
Little Rock Nine. N.p.: n.p., n.d. University of Arkansas Libraries: Digital Collections. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://scipio.uark.edu/cdm/search/searchterm/little%20rock%20nine/mode/all/order/nosort/page/1>.
This digital collection of pictures, cartoons, and FBI reports relating to the Little Rock Nine helped us gain primary source pictures, interesting cartoons, and very informative FBI reports about activity at Central and offenses against integration.
Mike Wallace Interview with Governor Orval Faubus. C-SPAN. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. <http://www.c-span.org/>.
This interview was with Mike Wallace and Orval Faubus. It was really interesting to hear what Faubus had to say about the Little Rock Nine.
Miller, Francis. "Brave Hearts: Remembering the Little Rock Nine, 1957." Life. Time, 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://life.time.com/history/little-rock-nine-1957-photos/?iid=lb-gal-viewagn#1>.
This web page had many pictures of the Little Rock Nine, the 101st Airborne Troops, the Arkansas National Guard, and white students at Central in 1957. These pictures helped us understand the scene at Central in 1957.
Mothershed, Thelma. Letter to Daisy Bates. 24 Apr. 1962. MS. Wisconsin Historical Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Daisy Bates Papers, 1946-1966 Box 3.
This letter helped us get an idea for how much responsibility the Nine felt to succeed in college after all that Daisy Bates had done for them.
- - -. Letter to Daisy Bates. N.d. TS. The Little Rock Nine. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
This letter from Thelma Mothershed was really inspiring. In it, Thelma talked about how she wasn't doing very well in science in college and how she didn't want to let Daisy Bates down. It was amazing to find out that the Little Rock Nine kept in touch with Daisy Bates for a long time after they integrated Central High.
OnlajnGramofon. The Staple Singers - Why Am I Treated so Bad. Youtube. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
This song by The Staple Singers was inspired by the Little Rock Nine, and helped us realize how many people felt motivated and were influenced by the Little Rock Nine.
Phillips, Wayne. "Powerful N.A.A.C.P Stands behind the Fight for Racial Integration in the South." New York Times 6 Oct. 1957: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F30E13FB3B5C127A93C4A9178BD95F438585F9>.
This news article really helped us understand the NAACP and feelings for and against it in the 1950s.
Photograph of Jefferson Thomas standing alone waiting for transportation home after school. 17 Aug. 1959. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Photographs Bo 1 Folder 1/17.
This picture is of Jefferson Thomas standing all alone at a corner while a large group of white students are across the street jeering at him. It really showed us how even two years after the integration of Central High School, the Nine were still harassed and treated very badly.
Roberts, Terrance. Letter to Daisy Bates. 25 May 1959. MS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence.
This letter from Terrance Roberts (signed "Terrry") to Daisy showed us how the Nine still kept in touch with Daisy and updated her on their continued studies. He is getting ready to graduate from a high school in Los Angeles and then attend UCLA in the fall.
Roberts, Terrence. E-mail interview. 30 Mar. 2014.
This amazing interview with Terrence Roberts really helped us understand his opinion and the whole experience at Central more clearly. It was truly astounding and it was so intriguing for us to be able to interview him ourselves.
Schultz, Gladys Denny. Letter to Daisy Bates. 13 Aug. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Box 2 Folder 2.
This letter really helped us get a sense of how many people around the country supported Daisy's integration efforts.
Soldiersmediacenter. Ernest Green and the Little Rock Nine. YouTube. N.p., 24 Sept. 2007. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MijCzE9Y1DI>.
This video included an interview with Ernest Green that is on our website.
"Transcript of Tape Recorded Discussion between Clarence Laws and The Little Rock Nine - 1957." N.d. TS. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. NAACP Records.
This transcript of a round-table discussion between the Field Secretary for the NAACP and the Little Rock Nine helped us understand some of their thoughts about what could be done better to help students who were integrating.
Unknown. Photo of Minnijean Brown at her graduation. 1959. Photograph. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Photographs. Box 1 Folder 1/12.
This was a picture of Minnijean Brown at her graduation from New Lincoln School (standing next to a bust of President Lincoln). It was very moving seeing this picture knowing that Minnijean was expelled from Central.
- - -. Speech given about Daisy Bates. N.d. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Speeches and Statements 1946-1966 Box 3 Folder 3.
This was a speech given by an unknown person about Daisy Bates where she is described as the "Rock of Gibraltar" and quoted as saying "I would rather die with a cause than to live with an excuse". It made us realize how responsible Daisy really was for the Nine's safety during the crisis.
Walters, Herb. Letter to Daisy Bates. 1959. TS. Daisy Bates Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. General Correspondence Aug-Dec 1959 Box 2 Folder 2.
This was a letter to Daisy from a man in Massachusetts expressing his support for the Nine. Mr. Walters says he is writing to Daisy so the Nine can know how brave they are and that a lot of white people are against the segregationists. This letter made us realize how ordinary people from all over the country cared about what was going on in Little Rock.
XomuzicxluvrXo. Graduation. YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaHzCCh0twg>.
This video features Ernest Green talking about his graduation experience.
Secondary Sources
"Alabama Protest against Desegregation." Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement 1954-1985. PBS: American Experience, 2006. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/story/03_schools.html>.
This PBS website gave us some good pictures.
Bledsoe, John T. "Little Rock, 1959. Rally at State Capitol." Library of Congress. Lib. of Cong., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2014. <http://www.loc.gov/index.html>.
This website helped us get a very powerful picture of whites protesting integration.
"Constitution of the United States: Amendments 11-27." The Charters of Freedom. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014. <http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html>.
This website helped us understand exactly what rights all Americans were granted under the Constitution that relate to the lead-up to the Little Rock Nine.
Cope, Graeme. "'Dedicated People': Little Rock Central High School's Teachers during the Integration Crisis of 1957-1958." Questia: Trusted Online Research. Cengage Learning, 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-2357250861/dedicated-people-little-rock-central-high-school-s>.
This web site helped us get an idea of what the teachers at Central in 1957 thought of integration and their opinions on the experience.
Draper, Sharon M. Fire from the Rock. New York: Dutton Children's, 2007. Print.
This historical fiction novel helped us get interested in our topic and put ourselves in the Nine's shoes.
Everett. "Governor Orval Faubus D Appears on Tv." Fine Art America. N.p., 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. <http://fineartamerica.com/featured/governor-orval-faubus-d-appears-on-tv-everett.html>.
This website gave us a very powerful picture of Governor Faubus holding up a sign that reads: "Against racial integration of all schools within the Little Rock School District."
Fitzgerald, Stephanie. The Little Rock Nine: Struggle for Integration. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point, 2007. Print.
This book really helped us learn about the specific events in our topic.
- - -. The Little Rock Nine: Struggle for Integration. Minneapolis: Compass Point, 2007. Print.
This book was really good because it talked about the build-up to the Little Rock Nine, and it explained about everything that led up the event, like the NAACP. The book was also good for just understanding what the Little Rock Nine did, because it was very detailed and thorough.
Fradin, Judith Bloom, and Dennis Brindell Fradin. The Power of One: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine. New York: Clarion, 2004. Print.
This book helped us learn all about Daisy Bates' life, from childhood to death. It also detailed her involvement with the Nine.
Greer, Ginny. "Teacher Recalls Memory of '57 Crisis." The Tiger. N.p., 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. <http://tigernewspaper.net>.
This online publication of current Little Rock Central High School newspaper featured an article regarding an interview with John McCullars, a math teacher who taught at Central throughout the 1957 Crisis.
The History Channel website. "Little Rock Nine." History. A&E Television Networks, 2013. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.history.com/topics/central-high-school-integration/videos#little-rock-nine-rev>.
This broad video about the Little Rock Nine helped us get interested and get a background sense of our topic.
Kelso, Richard. The Days of Courage: The Little Rock Story. Ed. Alex Haley. Ney York: Steck-Vaughn Company, 1993. Print.
This book was pretty good because it gave us a basic overview of our topic, when we were first getting started, and didn't know much about the Little Rock Nine.
Levine, Kristin. The Lions of Little Rock. New York: Penguin Group, 2012. Print.
This historical fiction novel helped us get a sense for what it would feel like to be living in Little Rock in 1957.
"Little Rock Central High School: National Historic Site in Arkansas." National Park Service. National Park Service, 28 Dec. 2013. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/chsc/forteachers/lessonplansandteacherguides.htm>.
This website helped us learn a lot of details about the build-up to the Little Rock Nine and about Little Rock during the time-period of our topic.
"Little Rock Nine." The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Central Arkansas Library System, 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. <http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=723#>.
This website helped us get many photographs from the whole process and an actual video from September 4, 1957.
"The Little Rock Nine Changed Schools Forever." The Marquette Educator. Marquette University, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. <http://marquetteeducator.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/the-little-rock-nine-changed-schools-forever/>.
This website provided us with many good quotes and a picture that illustrates soldiers escorting the Nine down the street.
MarquetteU. Little Rock Nine. YouTube. N.p., 2014. Web. 7 Feb. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oodolEmUg2g>.
This video had footage from September 4, 1957, and many other interesting primary source components.
Morrison, Toni. Remember: The Journey to School Integration. New York: Houghton, 2004. Print.
This book for children had a lot of photos of the history of school integration as well as the author's imagined thoughts and feelings as she was retelling the story. It really made us realize that the Little Rock Nine weren't much older than we were during this violent battle just to be able to attend school.
Nine from Little Rock. Prod. Charles Guggenheim. Guggenheim Productions, 1964. Film.
This video talked about the different people from Little Rock Nine, and how they felt when they went to school. It also talked about what they did after they graduated from the school.
Nine with guards. Windham Today. Member of Little Rock Nine to speak at ECSU Commencement, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2014. <http://windham.htnp.com/2013/04/12/member-of-little-rock-nine-to-speak-at-ecsu-commencement/>.
This website provided us with an image of some of the Little Rock Nine with Guards that is featured on our website.
"President Dwight D. Eisenhower." Eisenhower's Warning Still Challenges a Nation. npr, n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2011/01/16/132935716/eisenhowers-warning-still-challenges-the-nation>.
This website gave us a picture of President Eisenhower during his presidency.
Roberts, Terrence. "Equality and Education: The Little Rock Nine 55 Years Later." Interview by Facing History. Facing History and Ourselves. Ed. Julia Rappaport. Facing History and Ourselves, 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. <http://www.facinghistory.org/voices/equality-education-little-rock->.
This interview of Terrence Roberts helped us get many good quotes and helped us understand the feelings of the Nine.
Somerlott, Robert. The Little Rock School Desegregation Crisis in American History. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2001. Print.
This book really helped us understand the build-up to the Little Rock Nine.
"Special Series: Segregation Showdown at Little Rock." NPR. NPR, 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/series/14158264/segregation-showdown-at-little-rock>.
This series of audio broadcasts about the Little Rock Nine included interviews of the Nine and other people involved at the time. It really helped us understand the hardships of the Nine, and what it was like at the time.
"Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement, 1850-1970." CNNfyi.com. N.p., 1 Feb. 2001. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/fyi/interactive/specials/bhm/story/timeline.html>.
This broad CNN timeline of the Civil Rights Movement helped us get an idea of the historical context and the big picture. Parts of it are in the timeline on our website.
"Touring a Time: 1957." Touring a Time: Central High. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://centralhigh.aetn.org/1957.html>.
This web site helped us learn about the personalities of the nine and had primary source documents regarding hate mail and editorials written by white Central students
Wisconsin Historical Society. N.p., 2014. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. <http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/>.
This website from the Wisconsin Historical Society had many images of Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine that are featured on our website.