Daisy Bates Lee Gaston Bates' Tireless Work to Desegrate Schools

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Daisy Lee Gaston Bates was most notably known for her work with the desegregation of schools in Arkansas. She lived an amazing life in the spotlight, but her life behind the curtains was just as amazing. Daisy was born on November 11th, 1914, in Hutting Arkansas. She was born during a time where civil rights and equality were just a dream. Daisy’s childhood was very rough. At a young age she was sexually assaulted and her mother was murdered by three white men. The identity of these men is unknown but, they were never charged with the crime. After the crime, Daisy’s father fled for fear of his own safety, leaving Daisy to be raised by family and friends. After a few months of being raised by her family Daisy was adopted by Susie and Orlie Smith. The Smith’s were friends of the family. For the first 8 years of her life Daisy believed that Susie and Orlie Smith were her biological parents. A few years later she discovered the disturbing, gruesome details of her mother’s death. She was so disgusted by this, that she tracked down one of the men that killed her mother and followed him around in public and glared at him. Being a young African-American girl this was very controversial and risky for both Daisy and the man who killed her mother. Daisy followed around the man for so long one day he screamed at her to leave him alone and then fled. Daisy never saw him again. “Daisy was born to change history, and starting a young age, that is exactly what she did.” (daisybates1.blogspot.com) When Daisy was 15 she met a travelling insurance salesman and journalist, Lucius Christopher (L.C.) Bates. For the next 10 years the couple’s romantic relationship developed strongly. L.C. dreamed of returning to journalism. So in 1941, Daisy... ... middle of paper ... ...es. Daisy continued her inspirational work until November 4th, 1999. After moving back to Little Rock, Daisy had an elementary school named after her. The people in Little Rock honored Daisy for many years. With all of her work in antipoverty projects and the integration of schools everywhere Daisy received numerous awards. The biggest honor Bates received though was in 1996, at the age of 82, Bates was honored with the offer to carry the Olympic Flag for America during the opening ceremonies in Atlanta. “While Bates had no children of her own, she nurtured not only those nine students who participated in the immense and courageous action in the fall of 1957, but also countless others who were inspired by her exemplary life.” (www.blackhistorynow.com) Through this, she not only influenced the people of her generation, but her mark on the generations to com

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