Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine Releases Kindle Version of Award-Winning Book, “The Worst First Day”

Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford, member of the courageous Little Rock Nine, released a Kindle version of her award-winning autobiography, “The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Little Rock Central High” to coincide with the celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. She will offer the Kindle for free throughout Dr. King’s memorial holiday, January 19-21, 2019, in the hopes that readers will download her memoir and take the opportunity to learn civil rights history. “It was an honor to meet Dr. King,” said Eckford. “For his dream to live, we must all understand history, particularly civil rights history, to know from whence we’ve come and ensure we don’t return.”

Eckford was the first member of a group of 9 African American students known as the Little Rock Nine to arrive at Central High Sept. 4, 1957 to desegregate the school.  The 15-year-old was blocked by armed members of the Arkansas National Guard and engulfed by a crowd of incensed segregationists. An image captured of Eckford’s attack by photographer Will Counts became one of the most iconic of the twentieth century, sparking international outrage.

President Eisenhower sent in the 101st Airborne to ensure the safe entry of the Little Rock Nine, later replaced by the Arkansas National Guard. The Little Rock Nine suffered physical, verbal and mental attacks every day while at Central, yet they remained because they understood the importance of their mission. “We always knew our task was bigger than ourselves,” said Eckford.

“The Worst First Day” inspires readers through Eckford’s life experiences while denouncing social injustices such as bullying, racism, bias and discrimination. In this epic story, civil rights history is shared in verse with captivating graphic artwork by artist Rachel Gibson, informative essays and compelling era photography. Written with coauthors Eurydice and Grace Stanley of Pensacola, Florida, “The Worst First Day” won the 2018 Moonbeam Nonfiction Multicultural Gold children’s book award for literary excellence.

Kirkus Reviews described “The Worst First Day” as “A powerful recollection of the horrors encountered—and the battles won—in the fight for integration, and an urgent call to oppose today’s social and political oppression.” Dr. Sybil Hampton Jordan, one of the next African American students to attend Central High in the footsteps of the Little Rock Nine wrote the foreword for the book, describing it as “…a compelling, modern-day Odyssey set during the civil rights era. This book plants seeds of courage in the readers’ hearts, compelling them to build their resilience and follow Elizabeth’s example when surrounded by chaos. Like me, the world remained in awe of the stoic girl who walked through the lion’s den without stooping to the level of her attackers. Elizabeth was an example then and remains one now.”

Eckford notes that her life was literally saved by two Central High students, Ken Reinhardt and Ann Williams. “They treated me with such kindness,” said Eckford. “I hope that sharing my experiences encourages others who are being bullied. I want them to feel empowered and for bystanders to become allies.”

“The Worst First Day” author team travels the country speaking to organizations, colleges and schools to share the book’s historical background, anti-bullying education and social justice insights. Eckford considers her main audience to be young people, dedicating the book “to the avid young reader…and the next generation of freedom fighters.” “I want students to realize the power in their words,” said Eckford. She shares her experiences candidly in the hope of sparing others.

Eckford has received numerous awards for her contributions to the civil rights movement as a member of the Little Rock Nine to include a Congressional Gold Medal, our nation’s highest civilian award, and an honorary doctorate from Knox College in 2018. “Elizabeth’s memories are a treasure that must be shared,” said Stanley. “The Worst First Day is a resilience primer that encourages readers to #WalkPastHate.”
 

Contact Information

Eurydice S Stanley

Founder, Lamp Press LLC

Coauthor, The Worst First Day

(1) (612) 888-7934

info@dreurydice.com