Testament: The Little Rock Nine is located directly north of the state capitol and features statues of the nine Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, along with panels with quotes from them. Around 2,000 people—including all of the Little Rock Nine—attended the August 30, 2005, dedication of the $360,000 memorial created by John and Kathy Deering.
The accompanying plaque reads:
“Facing law and social custom that defined them as second tier citizens, The Little Rock Nine, taking their cue from the ever expanding struggle for civil rights, opted to define themselves quite differently. With the help of stalwart parents, other family members, and those in the community who shared their vision, this group of young people came to understand the reality of their time, but chose to believe in a reality yet to come. It was, in part, this focus that allowed them to suffer the indignities heaped upon them who firmly believed in the laws of inequality. With the support of others around the globe, and especially the guidance of L. C. and Daisy Bates, The Little Rock None walked through the f=doors of Central High School. Their act of courage opened doors symbolically all over segregated America. “Facing law and social custom that defined them as second tier citizens, The Little Rock Nine, taking their cue from the ever expanding struggle for civil rights, opted to define themselves quite differently. With the help of stalwart parents, other family members, and those in the community who shared their vision, this group of young people came to understand the reality of their time, but chose to believe in a reality yet to come. It was, in part, this focus that allowed them to suffer the indignities heaped upon them who firmly believed in the laws of inequality. With the support of others around the globe, and especially the guidance of L. C. and Daisy Bates, The Little Rock None walked through the f=doors of Central High School. Their act of courage opened doors symbolically all over segregated America.”
Small brass plaques with an inspirational quotation from each student are embedded in the circular pathway surrounding the monument.
Mentioned on the plaque is Daisy Bates, who headed the state NAACP and with her husband published the Arkansas State Press newspaper, mentored the Little Rock Nine. In May 2024, a statue of her was dedicated in the U.S. Capitol’s statuary Hall, replacing an obscure Arkansas legislator of the 19th Century. (The other Arkansas statue is soon to be replaced by one of Johnny Cash.)
The students are: Ernest Green (b. 1941), Elizabeth Eckford (b. 1941), Jefferson Thomas (1942–2010), Terrence Roberts (b. 1941), Carlotta Walls LaNier (b. 1942), Minnijean Brown (b. 1941), Gloria Ray Karlmark (b. 1942), Thelma Mothershed (b. 1940), and Melba Pattillo Beals (b. 1941).
