Daisy Bates

Daisy Bates. . , This was the home of Arkansas civil rights leaders L. C. and Daisy Bates. From 1941 to 1959 they published the Arkansas State Press, a Black-interest newspaper that advocated for civil rights and racial integration of public schools. As president of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP, Mrs. Bates was the spokesperson for nine Black students who faced hostile opposition when they tried to attend Little Rock Central High School during the 1957 integration crisis. The Bateses’ home was a refuge for the students, a gathering spot for the press, and an organizational headquarters for the desegregation campaign. It was also the target of terrorist attacks and threats. Daisy Bates was named 1957 Woman of the Year in education by the AP as one of the top global newsmakers., In later years, Mrs. Bates worked to promote civil rights and alleviate poverty, published a memoir, and revived the Arkansas State Press. She died in 1999 and has been honored with a state holiday and a statue in the US Capitol. Her house has been named a National Historic Landmark., With the placement of this official marker, the Arkansas250 Commission, appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, recognizes this site, for the events that occurred here, as among the most significant in Arkansas history. It was chosen by the commission for the consequential role played in Arkansas history in the 250 years from the birth of American independence to the semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, 2026.