Melba Pattillo Beals

Melba Pattillo Beals was one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated Central High School in 1957.

Born in 1941, she came from a family that valued education.

After facing intense harassment at Central High, Beals finished high school in California.

She earned degrees in journalism from San Francisco State University and Columbia University.

Beals worked as a reporter, communications consultant, and motivational speaker.

Her memoir, Warriors Don't Cry, won multiple awards and was followed by a sequel.

In 1999, Beals and the other Little Rock Nine members received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Clinton.