A pop-up exhibit is traveling across Kansas to mark the 70-year anniversary of the landmark decision. Pearson hopes that students and others who see the exhibit will leave curious to find out more about the Black women who committed acts of “everyday activism” to further their children’s education.

“For too long, the Brown v. Board of Education case has been remembered as a fight led by men in suits. But the truth is that the case is titled Oliver Brown, et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et al. The “et al.” listed after Brown signifies twelve Black, seemingly ordinary women from Topeka, Kansas, who also played a crucial role in the landmark victory. These mothers agreed to be plaintiffs, pushing for equal access to educational opportunities for all Black children, not just their own….”

Join us at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum August 10th-August 16th for a companion pop-up exhibit to our McIlwaine Speaker Series Talk – “The Women of Brown” by Donna Rae Pearson.

Read more about the exhibit hosted by Humanities Kansas at humanitieskansas.org

About Donna Rae Pearson

Donna Rae Pearson holds a Master’s degree in History from Wichita State University and specializes in Public History. She is a museum specialist at the Kansas Historical Society. Prior to working at KHS, she was the Local History Librarian at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, where she taught people how to conduct research and worked to preserve the stories of the Topeka community. She is also a commissioner on both the City of Topeka’s Local Landmarks and Planning Commissions and a board member for the YWCA of Northeast Kansas in Topeka.

“The Women of Brown” is part of Humanities Kansas‘s Speakers Bureau, featuring humanities-based presentations designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.