Edwilda Gustava Allen Isaac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edwilda Gustava Allen Isaac
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1937 |
| Died | January 21, 2022 (aged 84–85) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Alverno College |
| Occupation | Educator, activist |
| Known for | R.R. Moton High School protest |
Edwilda Gustava Allen Isaac (1937 – 2022) was an American civil rights pioneer. She is known for her brave actions as a teenager. In 1951, she took part in a student walkout at the Robert Russa Moton High School. This school was for Black students only, due to unfair segregation laws. The students protested because their school was not equal to schools for white students.
Contents
A Young Activist's Story
Edwilda Gustava Allen Isaac was born in 1937. As a teenager, she attended the Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia. This school was built in 1939. By 1951, it was very crowded and did not have enough resources for its students.
Protesting for Better Schools
The Moton High School was a "segregated" school. This means only Black students could attend it. Schools for Black students often had much worse conditions than schools for white students. For example, Moton High School was overcrowded. It also had old and outdated textbooks.
In 1951, Edwilda was an eighth grader. She helped organize a student walkout to protest these poor conditions. The protest was led by another brave student, Barbara Rose Johns.
The Walkout and Its Impact
The students marched from their school to the courthouse. Edwilda was part of the group of students who went inside. They bravely presented their complaints to the officials. This walkout brought a lot of attention to the unfair situation at the school.
The protest caught the eye of the NAACP. This important civil rights group decided to help the students. Their help led to a court case called Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County.
Changing the Law for Everyone
The Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County case became a part of a much bigger case. This was the famous Brown v. Board of Education. This case went all the way to the Supreme Court.
In 1954, the Supreme Court made a very important decision. It ruled that separating students by race in public schools was against the law. This ruling helped end segregation in schools across America.
Later Life and Legacy
After high school, Edwilda Isaac went to Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She became a music teacher and later got married. She eventually returned to Farmville, Virginia. There, she continued her career as a teacher.
Edwilda was also a member of the Martha E. Forrester Council of Women. This group worked hard to turn the Moton School into a museum. They also helped make the building a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place.
Edwilda Gustava Allen Isaac passed away on January 21, 2022. In 2016, she was honored by the Virginia Women in History. This award is sponsored by the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Foundation for Women. It recognized her important contributions to civil rights.
