The Day I Was Just Going to School: Gail Etienne's Unforgettable Experience with Desegregation Pioneers
Gail Etienne still vividly remembers her first day at McDonogh 19 elementary school in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. As she stepped out of the car with federal marshals, she was met with a sea of angry protesters. The year was 1960, and the US Supreme Court had recently ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. However, many parents and community members were not willing to accept this change.
Etienne was one of three six-year-old Black girls who were escorted into McDonogh 19 alongside Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost. The scene outside was chaotic, with protesters waving garbage cans and sticks, and holding picket signs against the school's integration. As Etienne watched in horror, a pregnant woman with a garbage can top waved at them, making her wonder what she could have done to provoke such anger.
Despite the hostile reception, Etienne, Tate, and Prevost were eventually allowed into the classrooms. However, their experience was far from ordinary. The school's parents came storming out of their homes, refusing to let their children attend classes with the desegregated girls. By the end of the day, the entire school had emptied, leaving only the three girls and their teacher behind.
For Etienne, Tate, and Prevost, this was a defining moment in their lives. They were forced to navigate the complexities of segregation head-on, facing racism and hostility every step of the way. However, they also formed an unbreakable bond as they navigated this challenging time together.
Years later, Leona Tate would purchase the McDonogh 19 building, which had become a symbol of resistance against segregation. She transformed it into the TEP Center, honoring the experiences of Etienne, Prevost, and themselves. The center now serves as a space for education, community meetings, and teacher workshops, providing a lasting legacy to the desegregation pioneers.
Gail Etienne's story had been largely overlooked until recent years. However, with Tate's efforts to revive their legacy, Etienne is finally receiving the recognition she deserves. In 2022, Etienne co-founded New Orleans Four LLC alongside Tate and Prevost-Williams, aiming to correct historical negation and restore the full story of the New Orleans Four.
As Etienne reflects on her experiences, she emphasizes the sacrifices made by those who fought for equality. "We didn't have a normal childhood," she says. "It was just a crazy time. We made a lot of sacrifices." Etienne's story is a testament to the power of courage and resilience in the face of adversity, serving as a lasting symbol of hope and power.
Gail Etienne still vividly remembers her first day at McDonogh 19 elementary school in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. As she stepped out of the car with federal marshals, she was met with a sea of angry protesters. The year was 1960, and the US Supreme Court had recently ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. However, many parents and community members were not willing to accept this change.
Etienne was one of three six-year-old Black girls who were escorted into McDonogh 19 alongside Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost. The scene outside was chaotic, with protesters waving garbage cans and sticks, and holding picket signs against the school's integration. As Etienne watched in horror, a pregnant woman with a garbage can top waved at them, making her wonder what she could have done to provoke such anger.
Despite the hostile reception, Etienne, Tate, and Prevost were eventually allowed into the classrooms. However, their experience was far from ordinary. The school's parents came storming out of their homes, refusing to let their children attend classes with the desegregated girls. By the end of the day, the entire school had emptied, leaving only the three girls and their teacher behind.
For Etienne, Tate, and Prevost, this was a defining moment in their lives. They were forced to navigate the complexities of segregation head-on, facing racism and hostility every step of the way. However, they also formed an unbreakable bond as they navigated this challenging time together.
Years later, Leona Tate would purchase the McDonogh 19 building, which had become a symbol of resistance against segregation. She transformed it into the TEP Center, honoring the experiences of Etienne, Prevost, and themselves. The center now serves as a space for education, community meetings, and teacher workshops, providing a lasting legacy to the desegregation pioneers.
Gail Etienne's story had been largely overlooked until recent years. However, with Tate's efforts to revive their legacy, Etienne is finally receiving the recognition she deserves. In 2022, Etienne co-founded New Orleans Four LLC alongside Tate and Prevost-Williams, aiming to correct historical negation and restore the full story of the New Orleans Four.
As Etienne reflects on her experiences, she emphasizes the sacrifices made by those who fought for equality. "We didn't have a normal childhood," she says. "It was just a crazy time. We made a lot of sacrifices." Etienne's story is a testament to the power of courage and resilience in the face of adversity, serving as a lasting symbol of hope and power.
Still can't believe some people were this mad about little girls going to school 
. I mean, protesters with garbage cans and sticks? That's crazy! 
What if they had taken the 3 girls out of school? Would that have changed anything in their lives? It makes me think about how hard it must've been for them to navigate through racism and stuff like that... 
. I wonder what would've happened if we had our first day at school with cameras following us everywhere 
. That would be so interesting to see, but I guess that's not really what they were dealing with back then 
.
... i mean, can you even imagine having to deal with that kind of hatred on your first day of school? 3 six-year-old girls just trying to learn and be safe, but nope, the whole town's against it 
. i think we can all learn a thing or two from their strength and courage 
. And now we see how this experience shaped them and led to Leona Tate creating a space to honor their journey, it's amazing 
. It just goes to show how often the stories of those who fought for equality get lost or erased over time. We need more voices like Leona Tate and Gail Etienne being amplified, sharing their experiences and highlighting the struggles they faced 
. It's about creating a space for people to come together, share their stories, and grow as individuals. The TEP Center seems like an amazing resource, providing a safe space for community building and empowerment 
.
. It's a reminder that our work towards equality is far from over, but it's also a testament to how far we've come 
I think its so sad that Gail Etienne & her friends had to go through all that for just trying to get an education like everyone else 
But at the same time its amazing how they were able to form such a strong bond despite everything 
.
because of the US government's decision to desegregate schools in '60 
. Can you even imagine having to deal with that kind of racism and hostility at such a young age? 
Their story is like something out of a movie, but it's REAL life 
. It's no wonder that Leona Tate later became so passionate about preserving their legacy and creating a space to honor their experiences 
.
. It's a reminder that even in the darkest moments, courage and resilience can lead to change 
.
I mean, can you even imagine showing up at school on your first day and being met with protesters waving trash cans? It's like they wanted to make sure those little girls knew how much they were hated just for trying to go to school. And the pregnant lady with the garbage can top was just the cherry on top - what did those girls do to deserve that kind of hate? 
The fact that they had to go through all that to get an education is pretty wild. And now they're getting recognition, which is awesome. 
But can we really trust the whole story? There's gotta be more to it than just a bunch of angry protesters... 
But seriously, desegregation was a huge deal back then and it's crazy to think that some people were so resistant to change. The fact that three little girls had to navigate all that drama is just heartbreaking. And can you imagine having to sit in classrooms with angry parents and protesters? It's like, who does that? 
I guess it's good that we're remembering these stories now and trying to correct the historical record, but can't we just focus on the present instead of dwelling on the past? 
this is like so inspiring!! 
I can only imagine how scary it must have been for Gail & her friends to be escorted into school with all those angry protesters outside 
let's keep spreading love & equality wherever we go