Barbara Rose Johns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Rose Johns
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Johns in a high school graduation photo (1952)
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| Born | March 6, 1935 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | September 28, 1991 (aged 56) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Occupation | Civil rights activist, librarian |
| Known for | Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County R.R. Moton High School protest |
| Spouse(s) | William Powell |
| Children | 5 |
Barbara Rose Johns Powell (born March 6, 1935 – died September 28, 1991) was a courageous leader in the American civil rights movement. This movement worked to ensure equal rights for all people. When she was just 16 years old, on April 23, 1951, Barbara led a student strike. This strike was to demand fair education for Black students at R.R. Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia.
Her actions led to a major legal case, Davis v. Prince Edward County. This case became part of the famous 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision by the United States Supreme Court. This important ruling said that separating public schools by race was against the law. Barbara's protest was the only student-led case included in this landmark decision.
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Her Early Life and Family
Barbara Rose Johns Powell was born in New York City in 1935. Her family later moved back to Prince Edward County, Virginia, where they had strong family roots. Her mother worked for the U.S. Navy in Washington D.C.. Her father managed the family farm.
Barbara was the oldest of five children. She had a younger sister, Joan, and three younger brothers: Ernest, Roderick, and Robert. Roderick later served in the Vietnam War and received special awards for his bravery.
Barbara's uncle, Vernon Johns, was a strong voice for civil rights. He often visited and taught the children about Black history. These lessons inspired Barbara and her siblings to learn more. Her uncle's brave spirit greatly influenced Barbara.
The Unfair School System
While growing up in Prince Edward County, Barbara attended public schools that were separated by race. In 1951, at age 16, she was a junior at Moton High School. This school was only for Black students in Farmville, Virginia. Across town, there was another school just for white students.
The schools had very different resources and facilities. Moton High School was built for about 200 students. But by 1951, it had more than twice that number. Barbara's sister, Joan, described the difficult conditions:
- "In winter the school was very cold. A lot of times we had to put on our jackets. Students closest to the wood stove were warm, but those farthest away were very cold. I remember being cold often, sitting in class with my jacket on. When it rained, water came through the ceiling. We had many pails around the classroom. Sometimes we even had to use umbrellas to keep water off our heads. It was a very hard place to try and learn."
Parents of the Black students asked the school board for a bigger and better-equipped school. The board only added temporary tar paper shacks to help with the overcrowding. Barbara felt frustrated by this unfair treatment. One day, after missing her school bus and seeing a bus for white students pass by, she decided to act. She spoke to a teacher who encouraged her to make a change.
Leading a Brave Protest
Barbara Johns met with several classmates. They all agreed to help organize a student strike. On April 23, 1951, their plan began. They tricked the principal into leaving the school. Barbara then created a fake note from the principal. This note told teachers to bring their classes to a special assembly.
Once everyone was gathered, Barbara gave a speech to all 450 students. She explained her plan for a student strike. They would protest the unfair conditions between the Black and white schools. The students agreed to join. That day, they marched to the county courthouse. They wanted officials to see the big difference in school quality.
The student leaders met with School Superintendent T. J. McIlwaine. He told them they were out of line. Barbara had hoped the strike would lead to a new school. Instead, they faced indifference and struggle. For the rest of the day, students protested inside and outside the school. They held signs saying, "We want a new school or none at all" and "Down with tar-paper shacks."
Taking the Fight to Court
On April 25, 1951, lawyers from the NAACP arrived. The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is a group that fights for equal rights. Oliver W. Hill and Spottswood Robinson came to help the Moton High School students. Barbara and other student leaders had asked the NAACP for legal help.
The NAACP agreed to help, but with one condition. The lawsuit had to be for an integrated school system. This meant schools where students of all races could learn together. It couldn't just be about getting better separate facilities. A month later, the NAACP filed Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County in federal court.
The court first supported segregation in Prince Edward County. So, the NAACP appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Davis v. Prince Edward County case, along with four other cases, became part of Brown v. Board of Education. Because Davis was the only case started by student protest, some see it as a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
Her Life After the Protest
Because of her role in the fight for equal rights, Barbara faced threats. A hate group even burned a cross in her yard. Fearing for her safety, Barbara's parents sent her to live with her uncle in Montgomery, Alabama.
After the strike, Barbara Johns lived a quieter life. She earned a degree in library science from Drexel University. She married William Powell and they raised five children. She lived in Philadelphia. Her love for education led her to become a librarian for the Philadelphia school system. She worked as a librarian until she passed away from bone cancer in 1991.
Barbara Johns' Lasting Impact
Barbara Johns' important work for civil rights is sometimes overlooked. This is because she was a teenager when she made such a big difference. Author Taylor Branch wrote about the Davis v. Prince Edward case in his book, Parting the Waters. He noted that many people didn't realize students had started this important lawsuit.
Honoring a Hero
The Virginia Civil Rights Memorial opened in 2008. Barbara Johns and other students are shown on one side. A quote there says, "It seemed like reaching for the Moon." The Library of Virginia also honored Barbara Johns Powell in 2005. They named her one of their Virginia Women in History.
Today, Barbara Johns is part of the history lessons for elementary school students in Virginia. They learn about her in the fourth grade unit on Civil Rights.
In 2010, Virginia artist Louis Briel painted a portrait of Johns. This painting was displayed in the state Capitol building. It is now permanently at the Robert Russa Moton Museum in Farmville. It was also on loan for display in Virginia's Executive Mansion.
In 2017, Governor Terry McAuliffe officially named the Office of the Attorney General after Powell. This was to honor her impact on the civil rights movement.
On August 17, 2017, Governor Terry McAuliffe spoke about a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. He had a portrait of Barbara Johns in the background during his interview. He spoke about her bravery and leadership.
In 2017, Fairfax County, Virginia, thought about renaming a high school after Barbara Johns. On September 7, 2018, J.E.B. Stuart High School was renamed Justice High School. This honored Johns, Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Col. Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr., among others. They all worked to advance justice.
In May 2019, Johns was featured in the New York Times series "Overlooked No More." This series adds obituaries for important people who were not recognized at the time of their deaths.
In 2020, Longwood University in Farmville renamed a residence hall "Johns Hall." It was formerly called Curry.
Also in 2020, Johns was added to the National Women's Hall of Fame.
On December 16, 2020, a commission in Virginia voted. They recommended that a statue of Barbara Johns represent Virginia in the National Statuary Hall Collection. This statue would replace the one of Robert E. Lee. On December 16, 2025, the statue of Johns was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol. It replaced the statue of the Confederate general.
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