Last surviving Brown v. Board plaintiff dies
The last surviving Topeka plaintiff in the Brown v. Board of Education case that led to the landmark ruling outlawing school desegregation has died at 88.
Zelma Henderson died Tuesday in Topeka, six weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In 1950 she signed onto the litigation on behalf of her children challenging Topeka's segregated schools. In all, 13 black parents, including the Rev. Oliver Brown, took part in the federal court case.
Oliver Brown was involved in the lawsuit on behalf of his oldest daughter, Linda. He wanted her to attend an all-white school five blocks from home rather than an all-black school 20 blocks away.
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Zelma Henderson died Tuesday in Topeka, six weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In 1950 she signed onto the litigation on behalf of her children challenging Topeka's segregated schools. In all, 13 black parents, including the Rev. Oliver Brown, took part in the federal court case.
Oliver Brown was involved in the lawsuit on behalf of his oldest daughter, Linda. He wanted her to attend an all-white school five blocks from home rather than an all-black school 20 blocks away.