Terrence Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terrence James Roberts
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Terrence Roberts speaking at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, February 9, 2017.
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| Born | December 3, 1941 |
| Movement | Civil Rights Movement |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal Spingarn Medal |
Terrence James Roberts was born on December 3, 1941. He is famous for being one of the Little Rock Nine. This was a brave group of nine African-American students. In 1957, they were the first black students to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This was a very important step in ending segregation (keeping people of different races separate). In 1999, Terrence Roberts and the other Little Rock Nine members received the Congressional Gold Medal. This special award was given to them by President Bill Clinton.
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Terrence Roberts' Early Life and School Days
Terrence Roberts grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents were William L. and Margaret G. Roberts. When he was young, he went to schools that were segregated. This meant only black students went to M. W. Gibbs elementary, Dunbar Junior High, and Horace Mann High School.
Joining the Little Rock Nine
In 1957, Terrence Roberts decided to do something very brave. He volunteered to attend the all-white Little Rock Central High School. This was a big step to help desegregate (mix races in) one of the largest schools in the country.
Facing Challenges at Central High
On September 4, 1957, the Little Rock Nine tried to enter Central High School. But they were stopped. The Arkansas National Guard, following orders from the governor, blocked their way. A large, angry crowd of about 400 people also surrounded the school. They kept the students from going inside.
A few weeks later, on September 23, 1957, the students tried again. About 1,000 people gathered around the school. The next day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower stepped in. He sent members of the 101st Airborne Division to protect the students. These soldiers walked with the students to school. They stayed at the school for the whole year. Even with protection, the students sometimes faced unkindness inside.
Finishing High School and College
Because of these events, Little Rock's high schools closed for a year. Terrence Roberts finished his last year of high school in Los Angeles, California. He then went to college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Los Angeles City College (LACC). He later graduated from California State College.
Terrence Roberts' College and Career
Terrence Roberts continued his education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1967. Sociology is the study of how people live together in groups. He then got his master's degree in social welfare in 1970. Social welfare is about helping people and communities. In 1976, he earned his Ph.D. in psychology. Psychology is the study of the mind and how people think and feel.
Working in Mental Health and Education
From 1975 to 1977, he taught at Pacific Union College in California. Later, he worked as a director of mental health services. He also served as an Assistant Dean at the UCLA School of Social Welfare.
In 1993, Roberts joined Antioch University Los Angeles. He taught psychology there until he retired in 2008. He also runs his own company, Terrence Roberts Consulting.
Terrence Roberts was interviewed many times when Barack Obama became president. This showed how important his story still was.
Books by Terrence Roberts
Terrence Roberts has written two books. His first book, Lessons From Little Rock, came out in 2009. His second book, Simple, Not Easy, was published in 2010. These books share his experiences and lessons from his life.
How Terrence Roberts Has Been Shown in Media
In 1993, an actor named Suli McCullough played Terrence Roberts. This was in a Disney Channel movie called The Ernest Green Story.
See also
