COLUMBUS, Ohio — A group of southwest Ohio mothers and their children have a chapter in American history that most people did not learn about in school.
They were known as the Lincoln School Marchers, and they trekked two miles every school day for two years demanding admission into the white school in Hillsboro after the historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
A new children's book, "Step By Step! How The Lincoln School Marchers Blazed A Trail To Justice" is the story of their grassroots demonstration. Their march was one of the longest-sustained demonstrations of the civil rights movement.
The authors are New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Rigaud and Dr. Carlotta Penn, an equity and engagement director at The Ohio State University’s College of Education.
"I think one of the most important themes of the book is amplifying the legacy of everyday underrepresented leaders and heroes," Penn said. "They're humans who wanted and knew that they deserved the best education quality for themselves and their children."
Ohio Humanities has an exhibit showing the story of the fight for school integration in Hillsboro and it includes a 20-minute documentary.
Executive Director Rebecca Asmo says "Step by Step" and its story of the Lincoln Marchers is relevant to this day.
"I would just encourage everybody to pick up a copy of the book get to know the marchers and get to know the story. It's our history. It's American history," she said.
The book is available in central Ohio at the Cover to Cover children’s bookstore in Upper Arlington. It is also available online at DaydreamersPress.com.