Auntie Mae and the Aunties (the Harlem 9)

Ever heard of the name Mae Mallory? Well, she was an extraordinary activist who played a crucial role in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements during the 1950s and 1960s. Her unwavering support for school desegregation and black armed self-defense made a significant impact, and her legacy continues to inspire and motivate those still striving for equality today.

You see the North wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. And as a mother of two young children, Mae Mallory faced some of the same challenges as African American parents in the South with her children enrolled in the New York City public school system. Despite the law prohibiting racial segregation in schools, Black and Latino children received substandard education due to the city's zoning policies. In 1956, Mallory took a stand and started "the Harlem 9," a group of African-American mothers who fought for better resources and integrated schools for their children.

Their activism included legal action, public protests, and a boycott involving 10,000 parents. In 1960, after persevering through challenges and attempts to prosecute them, the mothers won their lawsuit, and the Board of Education allowed thousands of black children to transfer to integrated schools. The "Harlem 9" paved the way for change and made a significant impact, establishing some of the first Freedom Schools of the civil rights movement. Their determination and courage inspire us to continue fighting for equality and justice for all.