Two new Civil Rights trail markers unveiled in the state

By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer

Last week, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism unveiled the next series of Louisiana Civil Rights Trail markers at the site of the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School in New Orleans and at the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum in Pineville.

The New Orleans marker honors Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost and Gail Etienne, a.k.a. the “McDonogh Three.” The women were six-year-olds when they integrated McDonogh 19 in New Orleans on November 14, 1960. McDonogh 19 was one of two newly integrated schools, the other being William Frantz Elementary, well known for its first Black student, Ruby Bridges.

“We are proud to tell this story of the ‘McDonogh Three’ and to commemorate an iconic landmark for visitors and Louisianans to know about, learn from and visit. This Louisiana Civil Rights Trail marker unveiling is a continuing effort to recognize and bring to life Louisiana’s role in the modern civil rights movement,” said Nungesser. “Those 3 little girls that went to school here on that day led in by the police…changed history.”

“We had no clue what we were about to endure and embark on…When I drove up it was just people everywhere…and the only thing I could relate it to was a parade was coming….but my mother said ‘no, that’s not the case,’” said McDonough Three member Leona Tate.

By 3 p.m. on the day the McDonough Three arrived on campus, Tate said the white parents had removed all of their children from the building. For months, the McDonogh Three were the only students to attend the school.

The McDonogh 19 campus is now the Tate, Etienne, and Prevost Center, a mixed-use education and exhibition space dedicated to civil rights history.

The Pineville marker honors the members of the 761st Tank Battalion. The battalion was an experimental unit in World War II, just like the Tuskegee Airmen. It was formed at Camp Claiborne in 1942. 75,000 Black soldiers maneuvered in central Louisiana. As a part of General Patton’s Third Army, their fighting skill earned them the nickname of “Patton’s Panthers.”

“We are proud to tell this extraordinary story of the Louisiana Military Maneuvers during World War II and the brave men of the 761st Tank Battalion who proved their worth during heavy combat from October 1944 through the end of the war in September 1945,” said Nungesser.

The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail markers depict the significant role the state played in shaping American history in the 1950s and 1960s by drawing attention to the courage and commitment shown by leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Some of the other locations for Louisiana Civil Rights Trail markers include Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans, A.Z. Young Park in Baton Rouge, and Little Union Baptist Church in Shreveport.

Later this month, a marker will be unveiled at the Robert “Bob” Hicks house in Bogalusa. Additional information on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail is available online at www.lou-isianacivilrightstrail.com.

This article originally published in the February 7, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.