NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost, known as one of three girls who integrated New Orleans’ McDonogh 19, has died.
On Nov. 14, 1960, Prevost, Leona Tate and Gail Etienne 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 Leona Tate Foundation for Change, Inc. and Alembic Community Development purchased the old school and reopened it as The Tate Etienne Prevost(TEP) Center in honor of the three women.
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 multi-sensory 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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