Central High School and Little Rock Nine member watch unveiling of Daisy Bates statue in Washington D.C.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Daisy Gatson Bates played a major role in the integration of the Little Rock Nine at Central High School in 1957.

Wednesday in Washington D.C, a new bronze statue of a Civil Rights icon, was unveiled in the Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol.

This monumental moment in history was celebrated at the historic Little Rock Central High School where Mrs. Daisy Bates mentored the Little Rock Nine.

Little Rock Nine member Elizabeth Eckford was in attendance and spoke of Bates’ determination in her mission of ending segregation.

Eckford said Bates lost money as advertising for her newspaper, The Arkansas State Press, was stripped because she wouldn’t stop fighting for desegregation.

Faced with many challenges in life, Bates “never backed down,” Eckford said.

“That was exemplary of the Bates courage and determination, and I thought that was something that they ought to remember,” said Eckford, who shared this story with the students.

Eckford said it was a tough time when Daisy Bates passed away in 1999, but seeing her statue being unveiled is joyous.

“She officially represents Arkansas but also symbolic of her being a great American,” Eckford said.

Students at Central High School are thankful to witness this historic day.

“She has helped change society here in Arkansas,” 12 ^th grader Mikah Foreman said.

Addisyn Cain, an 11 ^th grader said, “As an Arkansan, it’s amazing to be getting this type of representation, especially by amazing figures like Daisy Bates.”

Cain said she felt excited watching the unveiling because “when you hear Arkansas in front of thousands of people, you automatically think oh my gosh that’s me.”

As Daisy Bates’ statue will stand forever in Statuary Hall, so will her rich history in the hallways of Central High School.

“Seeing the unveiling of the statue just really touched my heart,” Foreman said

“I really appreciate being educated on all of these topics because it’s not something that should be silenced,” Cain said.

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