Sylvia Mendez

When it comes to striking down "separate but equal" most people think of Brown v Board of Education (1954).   But this was not the first time "separate but equal" was struck down. Mendez v Westminister struck it down in 1947. Sylvia Mendez is often forgotten by the history books.  She was a young Mexican girl who grew up in California during the 1940's.   Mendez had to attend a Mexican school which was strikingly inadequate compared to white schools.  In her Mexican school boys were introduced to agricultural labor and girls were taught house keeping.  Her petition to integrate the schools was heard by the Supreme Court over a 2 year span (1944-1946). 

There is a illustrated children's book entitled Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tontaiuh.  The book is about Sylvia Mendez and California segregation. 

Book Review: Ghost Boys

I have a great children's literature suggestion that seems especially timely.  Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.  Teaching history from alternative points of view sheds light on new internal and external conflicts. 

Ruby Bradley

Nurses often work in the shadows of inspiring heroes and receive significantly less appreciation. Their work is  instrumental to any standing army.   West Virginia Army nurse Ruby Bradley’s record is one for the ages.  Her accomplishments and actions are inspiring and brave.  Bradley served as a combat nurse and a prisoner of war in the Philippines during World War II.  She assisted in hundreds of major operations on battlefields and was awarded two bronze stars.  She risked her life on many  occasions. She was one of the most decorated nurses in military history.  She was known as the ‘Angel in Fatigues.’  

Triple Nickles

The Triple Nickles (555th) were created during World War II.  The 555th were named after an infantry of Buffalo soldiers from the late 1800’s.  This colored unit was subject to racist laws and intolerance.  African American’s served in strictly supportive roles for the white soldiers at Fort Benning. Until Walter Morris decided to enact change.  He wrote a letter to his superiors suggesting the formation of an all black airborne unit.  He expected negative feedback or to be fired.  Instead he was granted his wish.  The white officers did not think they would last.  The group of soldiers were organized and rigorously trained. The group began with seventy volunteers and grew to the thousands.  In 1945 the Triple Nickles were used in Operation Firefly.  They fought fires in the Pacific Northwest set ablaze by thousands of Japanese balloon bombs  They were pioneers in combating forest fires.  Soon the Triple Nickles would be known as “Smokejumpers.”   They succeeded when no one thought they would.  His expression, “This is my county, This is my duty, This is my responsibility,” is powerful.

Lowell Milken Center

Unsung Hero Museum
Great source of Information.

Diverse Curricula and Unsung Heroes

The Case for More Diverse School Curricula is very important to student achievement.  This concept is widely accepted and valued. This article by Joshua Ddamulira highlights clinical research and highlights benefits of more perspectives.  It references the Third World Liberation Front that fought for a more inclusive program and won in 1968 in California.  Highlighting unsung heroes achieves this goal. (Jan.11th, 2018 article from New America Weekly)

Roosevelt Franklin

Roosevelt Franklin was designed and voiced by Matt Robinson to represent Black youth on Sesame Street.  He appeared on the show in the 1970s.  People still remember him today.  I believe we should communicate with children in whatever ways they understand.  Including unsung heroes achieves that goal.  Children need to see themselves in history lessons.

Patsy Mink: Hawaiian Trailblazer

In 1970, Patsy Takemoto Mink came before the Senate for the hearing of George Carswell, a Supreme Court Nominee.  She was the first non-white and Asian American women elected to Congress in 1964.  She was a representative from Hawaii and a graduate from the University of Chicago.  Her work brought to the light the inequalities of women in the workforce. The judge she opposed for the Supreme Court refused to hear a case based on gender inequality.   Mink’s work drew attention to the unfair treatment of women in the United States.  She pushed for legislation to support better children care and early childhood.  She was an independently minded person who was not scared to speak her mind.  She served in Congress for 12 years and overcame tremendous obstacles in her lifetime.   Her work as a trailblazing politician is often overlooked.