NEW ORLEANS — Civil rights trailblazer and member of the New Orleans 4, Tessie Prevost-Williams, passed away over the Fourth of July weekend. She was 69 years old.
Prevost along with Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Ruby Bridges made history desegregating schools in New Orleans and the South six years after the Supreme Court Brown v Board of Education court ruling making segregated schools unconstitutional.
Etienne remembers what it was like being with a young Tessie Prevost-Williams on the day they integrated McDonagh 19.
“It’s an experience that I had with her that I will never ever forget. I’m truly going to miss her,” Etienne said.
In recent years, Prevost and Etienne launched the New Orleans Four Legacy Collection as a way to ensure that their namesake and history as the New Orleans Four will never be forgotten.
“When we would get together and just talk about the things that happened, those were the good times even though we would talk about things that weren’t good but just the fact that we were together,” Etienne said.
In 2022, Prevost was a part of the opening ceremony of the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School that is now the TEP Center, serving as a community space and exhibit.
Her passing comes after the New Orleans 4 were honored in Washington, D.C. to commemorate 70 years since Brown vs. Board of Education in May.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a statement following Prevost's passing.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tessie Prevost, a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights,” said Mayor Cantrell.
Ms. Prevost was among the first African American students to integrate McDonogh 19 Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960, at just six years old. Facing intense hostility and unimaginable challenges, her courage paved the way for greater educational equality throughout the United States.
Her bravery and determination helped dismantle the barriers of segregation, inspiring countless others in the struggle for justice and equality. Her legacy is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact a single individual can have on the course of history. Tessie Prevost will be remembered not only for her role in the Civil Rights Movement but also for her enduring spirit and commitment to a more inclusive society.
Her passing is a profound loss, but her contributions will continue to resonate for generations to come. May she rest in God’s perfect peace.”
Congressman Troy Carter also honored Prevost’s legacy on Monday.
“She’ll be sorely missed, but the fight that she took on and the fight that she continued to take on until her death is one of equality, fairness, justice,” Carter said.
Carter says it is a reminder to never take for granted our freedoms.
“The freedoms we enjoy are not free. they require our involvement, our civic duty they require us to vote and to hold people accountable,” Carter said.
NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams also shared her condolences in a statement.
“On behalf of NOLA Public Schools and the Orleans Parish School Board, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Tessie Prevost's family, friends, and all who were touched by her remarkable life,” said Dr. Avis William. “May her legacy of courage and commitment to justice forever inspire us to uphold the values of equality and inclusivity in education and beyond.”
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