* Birth date: October 4, 1941
* Place of birth: Little Rock, Arkansas
* Race: African American
* Known for: One of the nine black students who attempted to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas
* Occupation: Retired teacher
Early life
Elizabeth Eckford was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 4, 1941. Her parents, Oscar and Birdie Eckford, were both sharecroppers. Elizabeth was the fifth of eight children.
Elizabeth Eckford attended Horace Mann High School, an all-black school in Little Rock. She was a good student and was active in extracurricular activities, including the debate team and the Girls Athletic Association.
Central High School
In 1957, Elizabeth Eckford was one of nine black students who attempted to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The students were prevented from entering the school by a violent mob. The mob was led by members of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups.
Elizabeth Eckford's attempt to integrate Central High School was widely publicized. She was interviewed by reporters from around the world and her photograph was published in newspapers and magazines. Elizabeth Eckford became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights in the United States.
Later life
After graduating from Central High School, Elizabeth Eckford attended Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). She majored in elementary education.
Elizabeth Eckford taught elementary school in Little Rock for 30 years. She retired from teaching in 1991.
In 1997, Elizabeth Eckford was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. The medal is the highest civilian award given by the United States Congress.
Elizabeth Eckford lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a widow and has two children and two grandchildren.