This week libraries are celebrating National Library Week, a week of national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) as well as libraries across the country.  The week celebrates the contributions made by our libraries and library workers, as well as promoting library use and support. This year’s National Library Week marks the 60^th anniversary of the event, first sponsored in 1958.

In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education was one of the biggest legal victories of the civil rights era, overturning the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson “separate but equal” case. Federal government was given the right to force states to integrate their schools, which allowed children of color equal opportunity for attending schools.

Linda Brown, the young girl at the center of Brown v. Education passed away Monday March 26, 2018 at the age of 76. Her father, Rev. Oliver Brown sued the Topeka, Kansas school board so that his daughter would have the right to attend the schools that were at the time all-white. Brown’s case was combined with four other school segregation cases to be heard by the Supreme Court.

Despite the decision, it took many years of continued legal battles and protests before ending segregation completely. The end of segregation also did not end the social issues surrounding racism that have persisted in this country over the years. Over time people have continued to fight for equal rights with perseverance, hope, and unity, using the legal system, politics, and social platforms. Let us all reflect on the impacts of this case on our nation as we remember Linda Brown, and her family’s contributions to equality in this country.