Linda Brown death: Prominent figure in US school desegregation and civil rights dies aged 75

As a girl in Kansas in the 1950s, Brown was turned away after she tried to enrol in an all-white school

Linda Brown, a pioneer in the fight against racial segregation in US schools, has died at the age of 75.

As a girl in Kansas in the 1950s, Brown’s father tried to enrol her in an all-white school.

He and several other black families were turned away, which ultimately sparked the Brown v Board of Education case that challenged segregation in public schools.

A 1954 decision by the US Supreme Court followed, striking down racial segregation in schools and cementing Ms Brown’s place in history as a key figure in the landmark case.

The NAACP’s legal arm brought the lawsuit to challenge segregation in public schools before the Supreme Court, and Ms Brown’s father, Oliver Brown, became lead plaintiff.

The lawsuit was joined with cases from Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

On 17 May, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that separating black and white children was unconstitutional because it denied black children the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law.

The Brown decision overturned the court’s Plessy v Ferguson decision, which on 18 May 1896, established a “separate but equal” doctrine for blacks in public facilities.

Brown’s death was confirmed by her sister, Cheryl Brown Henderson, the founding president of The Brown Foundation.

Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel at NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund, said that Ms Brown was one of a band of heroic young people who, along with her family, courageously fought to end the ultimate symbol of white supremacy: racial segregation in public schools.

“She stands as an example of how ordinary schoolchildren took centre stage in transforming this country. It was not easy for her or her family, but her sacrifice broke barriers and changed the meaning of equality in this country,” Ms Ifill said in a statement.

Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer said that Brown “inspired millions”.

“Linda Brown’s life reminds us that by standing up for our principles and serving our communities we can truly change the world.

“Linda’s legacy is a crucial part of the American story and continues to inspire the millions who have realised the American dream because of her,” Mr Colyer said.

A cause of death for Brown was not released. Arrangements were pending at Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel.

Oliver Brown, Brown’s father (for whom the case was named), became a minister at a church in Springfield, Missouri. He died of a heart attack in 1961.

In 1988, Brown and her sister founded the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research.

Agencies contributed to this report