News Release

Thelma Mothershed Wair, Civil Rights Pioneer and Educator, Dies at 83

Thelma Mothershed Wair, a member of the Little Rock Nine

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 20, 2024

Contact: Brian Schwieger, 501-396-3006

Thelma Mothershed Wair, a trailblazing civil rights figure and lifelong educator, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on November 29, 1940, in Bloomberg, Texas, she leaves behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to justice and equality.

Thelma gained national recognition as one of the Little Rock Nine, the courageous group of African American students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Amid intense hostility and daily threats, Thelma’s resolve never faltered. Despite facing a congenital heart condition, she maintained near-perfect attendance during one of the most challenging periods of the civil rights movement, earning admiration for her bravery and determination.

In September 1958, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus invoked newly passed state laws to halt further desegregation, leading to “The Lost Year,” the closure of Little Rock’s four high schools. Earning the credits needed for graduation through correspondence courses and summer school in St. Louis, Missouri, Thelma later received her Central High School diploma by mail.

Thelma continued her educational journey at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she earned a degree in Home Economics Education in 1964. She later obtained a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and an Administrative Certificate in Education from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.

Thelma dedicated 28 years to the East St. Louis school system, teaching Home Economics for a decade before serving as an elementary career counselor for 18 years. Her influence on students, both in and out of the classroom, left an indelible mark on the community, and she retired in 1994 with a legacy of transforming lives through education.

Her community service extended beyond education, earning her numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Role Model award from the East St. Louis Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction. Thelma also contributed significantly to the early childhood Pre-Kindergarten program in East St. Louis.

Thelma’s enduring contributions to civil rights were recognized on a national level. In 1958, she received the NAACP’s prestigious Spingarn Medal, and in 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded her and the other members of the Little Rock Nine the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.

In 2017, Thelma co-authored Education Has No Color with Richard J. Hansen, chronicling her experiences at Central High School and reaffirming her belief in the transformative power of education.

Thelma Mothershed Wair will be remembered for her pivotal role in desegregating American schools and also for her kindness, dedication to students, and lifelong commitment to equality and justice.