Rockville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gibbs v. Broome, et al. / 1931 Courthouse
27 Courthouse Square
— Rockville's African American Heritage Walking Tour —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 14, 2011
1. Gibbs v. Broome, et al/1931 Courthouse Marker
Should you receive the same pay for doing the same work? William B. Gibbs, teacher and principal of the Rockville Colored Elementary School, thought so, but he had to take the issue to court.
African American teachers had to meet the same qualifications as their White peers but received only half the salary. Gibbs petitioned the Board of Education for equal pay, but the Board denied his petition. Gibbs filed a suit in Montgomery County Circuit Court in 1936.
NAACP attorneys Thurgood Marshall (who later became the nation’s first African American Supreme Court Justice) and Charles Houston (then Vice Dean of Howard University Law School) represented Mr. Gibbs. County School Superintendent Edwin Boome settled out of court, phasing in equal pay over a two-year period. The year after the case was filed, William Gibbs was fired from the Montgomery County School System.
Erected by City of Rockville Historic District Commission, Dept. of Community Planning and Development Services. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education.
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 5.038′ N, 77° 9.102′ W. Marker was in Rockville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker was on Courthouse Square (W. Montgomery Ave.) west of Maryland Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Rockville MD 20850, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Gibbs v. Broome, et al. / 1931 Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Red Brick Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Montgomery County Court House (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial of Maryland's Ratification of the Constitution (within shouting distance of this marker); Rockville (within shouting distance of this marker); 1891 Red Brick Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock and His Men (within shouting distance
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 14, 2011
2. The Montgomery County Courthouse (1931) in Rockville at Courthouse Square
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 19, 2017
3. 1931 Courthouse
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 19, 2017
4. Gibbs' Suit Wins Racial Equity in Teacher Pay
Newspaper sculpture on bench along Gibbs Street in Rockville Town Center.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 19, 2017
5. William B. Gibbs
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 19, 2017
6. William B. Gibbs
Educator, Leader, Advocate
Educator, Leader, Advocate
2010 sculpture by C. Lees on Gibbs Street in Rockville Town Square.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 19, 2017
7. William B. Gibbs
1905 - 1984
1905 - 1984
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,426 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 22, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
