Little Rock 9 Member Dead at 67

Jefferson Thomas, one of the 9 students who helped integrate Arkansas's public schools, passed away on Sunday at the age of 67. Thomas and 8 other Little Rock, AR teens are considered national heroes for being a part of the federal government’s 1st initiative to enforce the Supreme Court’s 1954 order outlawing racial segregation in public schools.

Known as the Little Rock Nine the teens faced intense racist protest when they were enrolled at Central High School in 1957. When then Arkansas governor Orval Faubus sent National Guard troops to block Thomas and 8 other students from entering the school, President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the Army's 101st Airborne Division to escort the 9 students to their classes.

Thomas died of pancreatic cancer at an extended-care living facility in Columbus, OH. Carlotta Walls LaNier, another member of the Little Rock 9 and current president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation, confirmed Thomas’ death.