Minnijean Brown

She is the only one of the nine students who began the term at Central High School who was not permitted to finish the school year. Minnijean, 16, mature beyond her years, endured the daily insults until they became unbearable and finally spoke back to a white student. Suspended, Minnijean accepted a scholarship at the New Lincoln School in New York City. Here, she could engage in the after school activities with her classmates (she had tried out for the Christmas chorus program at Central, been accepted, and at the last moment was told that perhaps it would be better if she didn't participate). Minnijean would like to return to school in Little Rock, despite her acceptance here in New York. She feels a kinship and obligation to the other students she started the year with.