Daisy Myers facts for kids
Daisy D. Myers (born February 10, 1925 – died December 5, 2011) was a brave African-American woman. In 1957, she and her family moved to Levittown, Pennsylvania. This town was known for only having white residents. The Myers family faced a lot of unfair treatment and trouble. State police eventually stepped in to protect them. Because of her courage, Daisy Myers was called the "Rosa Parks of the North."
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Early Life and Education
Daisy Myers was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 10, 1925. Her parents were William Lester and Alma Hockett. She was raised by the Dailey family in Richmond.
Daisy loved learning and went on to earn two master's degrees. She studied education and guidance counseling. Later, she became a school principal. She met her husband, William Edward Myers, Jr., at the Hampton Institute. William was an electrical engineer.
Moving to Levittown
In the middle of 1957, the Myers family decided to move. They had three children and wanted a new home in Levittown, Pennsylvania. For five years before they moved, all 15,500 homes in Levittown had been sold only to white people.
The Myers family became the first African-American family to live there. They moved to 43 Deepgreen Lane in the Dogwood Hollow Section. The company that built Levittown, the Levitt organization, had refused to sell homes to Black families. The Myers family bought their house from a white couple who were reselling it. This way, they did not have to deal with the builders directly.
Facing Challenges in Levittown
Many residents in Levittown did not want the Myers family to stay. For nine days, the family faced growing problems. They received threats and their property was damaged. There was even a cross burning near their home.
Some of their white neighbors tried to help them. But local police and state authorities did not stop the harassment right away. A court order soon said that no more than three people could gather near the Myers' home. This was meant to protect them.
However, crowds still gathered, and the problems continued for two weeks. Finally, the state police stepped in. Even after this, the Myers family faced unfair treatment for almost three months. People who caused trouble were told by the court to stop. The Myers family and their supportive neighbors did not give up. Their story received attention and support from across the country.
Slowly, the unfair treatment stopped as residents realized the Myers family would stay. The Myers family lived peacefully in Levittown for four more years.
Later Life and Legacy
William Myers got a job in Harrisburg. The family later moved to York, Pennsylvania. Their daughter, Lynda Myers, said her parents did not focus on the hard times in Levittown. Instead, they remembered and praised the neighbors who helped them. William passed away in York in 1987 at age 65.
In 2005, Daisy Myers wrote a book about her family's experience. It was called Sticks'N Stones: The Myers Family in Levittown. She was invited back to Levittown for a public apology. She planted a tree in front of the city hall, which was lovingly called "Miss Daisy."
Daisy Myers worked for the York City School District for thirty years before retiring. She also helped Congressman William F. Goodling. Daisy was involved in many community groups. These included the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the local YWCA board.
Daisy Myers passed away on December 5, 2011, in York. She was 86 years old. A 2017 movie called Suburbicon was inspired by the story of Daisy and William Myers. It starred Matt Damon and was directed by George Clooney.
