Jefferson Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jefferson A. Thomas
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Thomas in 1957
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| Born | September 19, 1942 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
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| Died | September 5, 2010 (aged 67) Columbus, Ohio, U.S
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| Education | Wayne State University Los Angeles State College |
| Movement | Civil Rights Movement |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Thomas |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal Spingarn Medal |
Jefferson Allison Thomas (born September 19, 1942 – died September 5, 2010) was a brave young man who helped change history. He was one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine African-American students. In 1957, they were the first black students to attend Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This was a very important step in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1999, Jefferson Thomas and the other Little Rock Nine members received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Bill Clinton. This is a very high honor from the U.S. government.
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Early Life and School Days
Jefferson Thomas was the youngest of seven children. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents named him after Thomas Jefferson, an early U.S. President.
Before 1957, Jefferson went to Horace Mann High School. This was a school only for black students because of segregation. Segregation meant that black and white people were kept separate in many parts of life, including schools. Jefferson was a good athlete there, especially in track.
In 1957, Jefferson was a sophomore, which means he was in his second year of high school. He bravely volunteered to be one of the first black students to attend the all-white Little Rock Central High School. This was a big step towards ending segregation in schools.
Facing Challenges at Central High
On September 4, 1957, the Little Rock Nine tried to enter Central High School for the first time. But they were stopped. The Arkansas National Guard, following orders from the state governor, blocked their way. A large, angry crowd of about 400 people also surrounded the school. They shouted and prevented the students from going inside.
A few weeks later, on September 23, 1957, the students tried again. This time, about 1,000 people gathered around the school. The situation was very tense.
The next day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower took action. He took control of the Arkansas National Guard from the governor. He also sent federal troops to Little Rock. These soldiers went with the students to school every day to protect them. Both federal troops and the National Guard stayed at the school for the entire school year. This helped ensure the students' safety and allowed them to attend classes.
Life After High School
Despite the difficult times, Jefferson Thomas graduated from Central High School in May 1960. He then went to Wayne State University in Detroit.
In 1961, he moved to Los Angeles, California. He became involved in community work. He served as Treasurer for the NAACP Youth Council. The NAACP is a very important group that works for civil rights. He also became the State President of the Progressive Baptist Youth Convention.
Jefferson continued his education at Los Angeles State College. He was active in student government and was even elected President of the Associated Engineers. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Later, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1964, Jefferson Thomas narrated a film called Nine from Little Rock. In the film, he shared an important message: "If Little Rock taught us nothing more, it taught us that problems can make us better. Much better." This film was made to show other countries how the United States was making progress in civil rights. It was very successful and even won an Academy Award.
Jefferson Thomas lived in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Mary. He continued to help others by volunteering as a mentor. He received an honorary degree, "Doctor of Humane Letters," from Ohio Dominican University in 2001. This award recognized his lifelong work for human rights and equality.
He often spoke at schools and universities across the country. He shared his experiences and inspired many young people. In 1999, he and the other Little Rock Nine members received the Congressional Gold Medal. They also received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP for their bravery. In 2005, the state of Arkansas honored the Little Rock Nine with statues on the Capitol grounds.
After working for the government for over 27 years, Jefferson Thomas retired in 2004. He later served on the board of directors for a learning academy in Columbus, Ohio.
Jefferson Thomas passed away from pancreatic cancer in Columbus, Ohio, in 2010. He was the first member of the Little Rock Nine to die. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His courage and dedication continue to inspire people today.
Media Portrayals
In 1993, actor Tico Wells played Jefferson Thomas in the Disney Channel movie The Ernest Green Story.
