A new marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail was recently unveiled in Lexington, commemorating a U.S. Supreme Court decision that played a pivotal role in desegregating public schools.
The marker was unveiled at S.V. Marshall Elementary School, the grounds of which helped lead to the case of “Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education.” Despite SCOTUS ruling in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, many schools in Mississippi were slow-paced in doing away with the discriminatory practice.
In 1965, ninth-grader Beatrice Alexander and 388 Holmes County students and parents petitioned to desegregate their county’s school system in U.S. District Court. The suit eventually climbed to the nation’s highest court and included 33 school districts. In 1969, justices unanimously ordered integration without further delay.
RELATED: Two Mississippi Museums offering free admission for Medgar Evers’ birthday
The “Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education” marker brings the total number of stops on the Mississippi Freedom Trail to 47, highlighting the state’s role in the civil rights movement.
“The Mississippi Freedom Trail tells the stories of courageous and resilient Mississippians. The addition of the ‘Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education’ marker in Lexington is deeply meaningful,” Visit Mississippi director Rochelle Hicks said. “It honors the legacy of those who demanded change and helped shape a more equitable Mississippi. Their voices echo through time, and now, through this marker, they will continue to inspire future generations.”
Administered by Visit Mississippi in partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Mississippi Freedom Trail is supported by a state tourism grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Learn more here.
