Powerful people in history have made education better for today's students, Superintendent Johnny Edwards told students gathered Wednesday at North Middle School.
The presentation on former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall highlighted the impact of one man on schools in America.
Justice Marshall is behind the monumental Brown v. Board of Education case that made segregation in schools illegal in the U.S. in 1954. Marshall faced discrimination himself, as a Black American, when attempting to enroll in law school to become an attorney. After successfully enrolling at Howard University, Marshall would later become the first African American Supreme Court Justice in 1967.
Marshall's legacy today is one of fairness and equal rights for all people in education, Edwards said during the presentation in honor of Black History Month.
Edwards' visit to North Middle School was requested by 8th grade student Clare Li.
The superintendent also spoke to the students about heroes such as Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine, students in the past who continued to face discrimination and violence while attempting to attend integrated schools in America.
Edwards spoke about the lasting impact of these events in history including the diversity of the student population gathered Wednesday morning at the middle school.
"Students can learn alongside people from different backgrounds, and Marshall's courage continues to inspire people to stand up for what's right," Edwards said. "If one man named Thurgood Marshall can change the world, you can too."
