Millicent Brown facts for kids

Millicent Ellison Brown is an American educator and a brave leader in the fight for equal rights. She is famous for being one of the first students to help end racial segregation in public schools in Charleston, South Carolina in 1963. She also started an important project called "Somebody Had to Do It."

Early Life and School Integration

Millicent Brown was born in 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. Her father, Joseph Arthur Brown, was a real-estate agent and a leader for the NAACP in their state. The NAACP is a group that works for the rights of African Americans.

After a big court decision called Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, it became illegal to have separate schools for Black and white children. Millicent's family and other African American families wanted their children to attend public schools with white children.

A Lawsuit for Equal Schools

Because of resistance, Millicent's family filed a lawsuit in 1959. Her sister was the main person named in the lawsuit. Many white people in South Carolina did not want schools to be integrated.

In August 1963, a judge decided that Black children could finally attend Charleston public schools. However, only the children involved in the lawsuit were allowed to enroll that fall.

High School Challenges

In 1963, Millicent Brown and Jackie Ford, another African American student, made history. They were the first two Black students to attend Rivers High School.

Going to a new school was not easy. Millicent and Jackie faced unkindness and bullying from some white students. This was a very difficult time for them. Despite these challenges, Millicent worked hard and graduated from high school.

Millicent Brown's Career

After high school, Millicent Brown continued her education. She earned a bachelor's degree in History from the College of Charleston in 1975. Later, she received a master's degree in Education from The Citadel in 1978. She then earned a PhD in U.S. History from Florida State University.

Millicent also taught at many different schools. While studying at Florida State University, she wrote about the history of civil rights in Charleston from 1940 to 1970.

Teaching and Advocacy

From 1995 to 1999, Millicent Brown was a professor at Bennett College. She then taught at Guilford College from 1999 to 2002. For a year, she worked at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

In 2002, she began teaching at the College of Charleston. Later, she taught in the History and Sociology department at Claflin University.

Today, Millicent Brown is still very active. She is on the board of directors for the ACLU in South Carolina. The ACLU works to protect everyone's rights. She also helps schools with issues about race and diversity. She often speaks to students with the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston.

The "Somebody Had to Do It" Project

In 2006, Millicent Brown started a special project called "Somebody Had to Do It." Her goal was to share the stories of other "first children" who helped integrate schools across the United States. The project focuses on their personal experiences, including the emotional and physical challenges they faced.

Awards and Recognition

Millicent Brown has received several awards for her important work:

• Chester C. Travelstead Award for Courage in Education (2017)
• Commitment to Justice Award (2021)