Elizabeth Eckhart

[TheBlackJew]

Just reading about this remarkable, brave person as it came up on my twitter feed.

Long story short, she was one of nine students to start at an all-white school, back in the day.

I can't imagine how she must have felt,that first day. She helped pave the way

Would you have gone to that school? I'm not sure I would have been brave enough.

I hope the link below works:
www.upworthy.com/elizabeth-eckford-civil-rights-movement

The Little Rock Nine was well-known growing up. Black History was everyday in our household.

When I was in jr high school Thelma Mothershed Wair spoke to our school about her experience for Black History Month.

Don’t forget Ruby Bridges, she was 6 years old wheb she went to an all-white school. She is still alive and 67 years old.

phoenixrosehere.

Thank you. I will look up the others. I so wish I'd known more about these remarkables, when growing up

You are welcome. There are so many amazing contributions by black people and I’m still finding out things everyday. History has been very white-washed unfortunately so you don’t hear about it unless you really search or go beyond what was taught in school.

I just recently found out about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the inventor of Rock and Roll music and influenced Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and so many musicians spanning across genres.

Reading about Elizabeth reminded me of my own childhood. I went to school in North Liverpool in the early 1960s. Liverpool at that time, was not only very divided on colour, but also religion.

The Council relocated us from Toxteth "temporarily" on the pretext of improving the housing. Instead, they knocked our (rented ) house down without telling us.

Nine of us with black skin, in the same primary school, would have been a welcome crowd.
It was one of the worst times of my life both inside, and outside of, school.

Reading about Elizabeth reminded me of my own childhood. I went to school in North Liverpool in the early 1960s. Liverpool at that time, was not only very divided on colour, but also religion.

The Council relocated us from Toxteth "temporarily" on the pretext of improving the housing. Instead, they knocked our (rented ) house down without telling us.

Nine of us with black skin, in the same primary school, would have been a welcome crowd.
It was one of the worst times of my life both inside, and outside of, school.'

That sounds so rough! Did you end up staying it that area, or did you manage to move?

I just recently found out about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the inventor of Rock and Roll music and influenced Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and so many musicians spanning across genres.

Why were we never told that this lady invented rock music. I had noooooo clue! (shame on me!)

We managed to move back to Toxteth after a while, back into private rented @TheBlackJew Much more diverse as you'll probably know.

I got to University despite them. But yes, it was tough at that school. White teachers obsessed with "saving the black babies in Africa" and bringing Christianity to them, whilst, ironically, dishing out the ruler to children of African descent in their class room. Grrrr. All legal back in the day.

I'm thinking of moving back to Toxteth again in my old age, although it's changed quite a bit these days.It's got it's problems still, but I'm very fond of it.

(I also didn't know about Sister Rosetta, but now we do! That's why I love this little part of MN.!)

"saving the black babies in Africa" and bringing Christianity to them, whilst, ironically, dishing out the ruler to children of African descent in their class room. Grrrr. All legal back in the day.

I hear you

And, you're right, this part of mumsnet has hidden gems. I love learning new stuff like this 😊

Why were we never told that this lady invented rock music. I had noooooo clue! (shame on me!)

She was Black, a woman, and queer.

@phoenixrosehere

Why were we never told that this lady invented rock music. I had noooooo clue! (shame on me!)

She was Black, a woman, and queer.

Where there's a Black Lesbian, there's always good music!

Where there's a Black Lesbian, there's always good music!

Yessss!

Does anyone have any other hidden gems? I feel like I've been walking around with my historical eyes closed!

How about a tale from South Australia?
Lowitja O'Donoghue
Taken from her family aged 2 by missionaries.
First Black woman to become a nurse.
She had to fight for it.
And she didn't stop there!
www.lowitja.org.au/page/about-us/patron

Mary Kenner

Invented the adjustable sanitary pad

www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/mary-kenner-1912-2006/

Thank you, 40TheBlackDarner

How about a tale from South Australia?
Lowitja O'Donoghue
Taken from her family aged 2 by missionaries.
First Black woman to become a nurse.
She had to fight for it.
And she didn't stop there!
www.lowitja.org.au/page/about us/patron

Wow! This woman is
Phenomenal, despite all of her setbacks. What an inspiration!

Thanks, 48phoenixrosehere

Mary Kenner

Invented the adjustable sanitary pad

www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/mary-kenner-1912-2006/

I've just read this. What an amazing woman; all of those inventions that paved the way!