As a young girl, this newspaper publisher and civil rights activist met tragedy with the murder of her mother at the hands of three white men. This fueled her thirst for justice, and it was what propelled her, with her husband, to start the Arkansas State Press, a weekly newspaper that was instrumental in integrating Arkansas Public Schools. When the state dragged their feet in integrating schools, she organized with the famed “Little Rock Nine” to enroll in Central High School, coordinating every detail of a day that would become pivotal in the Civil Rights Movement. Although she faced violent opposition for her role in desegregation, her perseverance inspired many to stand up for their rights.

She’s Daisy Bates, and what she did matters.