Daisy Bates

Date of Birth: November 11, 1914

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: November 4, 1999

Biography

Daisy Bates was an influential civil rights activist, journalist, and publisher, best known for her role in the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Born in Huttig, Arkansas, Daisy Bates grew up amid racial injustice, which significantly shaped her later activism. She, along with her husband L.C. Bates, owned and operated the Arkansas State Press, a weekly African-American newspaper that championed civil rights. Daisy became a key figure in the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine African American students who integrated Central High School following the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Her dedication to civil rights earned her national recognition, and she continued to work tirelessly for equality throughout her life.

5 Interesting Facts about Daisy Bates

1. Daisy Bates and her husband used their newspaper, the Arkansas State Press, to highlight issues of racial discrimination and advocate for the rights of African Americans.

2. She played a crucial role in mentoring the Little Rock Nine, providing them with support and encouragement during the integration crisis.

3. Daisy Bates was the only woman to speak at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

4. In 1958, she was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for her outstanding achievement in civil rights.

5. Bates’ autobiography, “The Long Shadow of Little Rock,” was published in 1962 and provides a detailed account of her experiences during the Little Rock Crisis.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Daisy Bates

1. “No man or woman who tries to pursue an ideal in his or her own way is without enemies.”

2. “The walls of segregation are crumbling. Slowly but surely, they are coming down.”

3. “We cannot let our past determine our future.”

4. “Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’”

5. “I never considered myself a brave woman, I just did what I thought I had to do.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Daisy Bates did not accumulate significant personal wealth from her activism and journalism. Her highest net worth is not well-documented, but her legacy and impact on civil rights are invaluable.

Children

Daisy Bates did not have any biological children. She and her husband, L.C. Bates, dedicated their lives to civil rights activism and considered the children they mentored, including the Little Rock Nine, as part of their extended family.