Trailblazers Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It ended racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and facilities that served the general public; and

WHEREAS, on September 7, 1965, Brenda Joyce Baker, Cynthia Baker, Pamela Denise Baker, Anthony Odell “Speedy” Cannon, Carol Jackson, Judia Mae Parker and Raymond Parker were the first African Americans to integrate the Elementary Laboratory School State College in Jacksonville, Alabama, known today as Kitty Stone Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, also on September 7, 1965, Dora Dunn, Dorothy Nix, Steven Joseph Walker, Caroline Watley, Jennifer Rebecca Williams, Jonathan Williams and Tony Williams were the first African Americans to integrate Jacksonville Laboratory High School in Jacksonville, Alabama, known today as Jacksonville High School; and

WHEREAS, 50 years ago these students walked miles to school, endured winter storms and other dangers that marked the unending ties of injustice and hardship following the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement. Eleven of the fourteen students transferred from the historical Eastwood High School in Jacksonville, Alabama. They helped transform our state through their journey, by helping us to better understand ourselves and others while pursuing an education for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, in May 1968, Ronald Williams was the first African-American to receive a diploma from Jacksonville Laboratory High School; and

WHEREAS, Youth Working Together for a “Speedy” Awareness, Inc. (YWTSA) is a public service organization in Jacksonville, Alabama whose goal is motivate, train and empower youth through group pathways designed to increase both educational and social skills. The 50th Anniversary theme is “Trailblazers…..The Journey”; and

WHEREAS, we honor these “Trailblazers for Education” and celebrate their courageous spirit of resilience of breaking the barriers of our time and leading our nation to a more inclusive and equal tomorrow:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim December 6, 2015, as

Trailblazers Day

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 16th day of October 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor