New Orleans civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost dies at 69

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost, known as one of three girls who integrated New Orleans’ McDonough 19, has died.

On Nov. 14, 1960, Prevost, Leona Tate and Gail Ettiene integrated the Lower 9th Ward school when they were 6 years old. On that same day, Ruby Bridges also integrated William Frantz Elementary School.

Years later, the three women purchased the old school and reopened it as The TEP Center.

The center serves as a walk-through history of their important contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.

In September 2023, the traveling Civil Rights Movement exhibition “The Trail They Blazed” stopped in New Orleans to provide a multisensory experience at The TEP Center where visitors heard the first-hand encounters of the girls.

Prevost died on July 6 at the age of 69.

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