Melba Pattillo

Melba was born on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941. On that day, the Pattillo family knew that this baby girl would be a part of great change. Melba was almost robbed of that chance when medical staff at the hospital neglected to give Melba necessary care for a head infection and she nearly died.

Melba grows up to be a intelligent and well spoken young woman, full of big dreams, strong will, and unshakable faith. Melba is tall for her age, very pretty, sensitive, a loyal friend, committed student, and deeply devoted to her family which includes her mother, Lois, a seventh-grade English teacher; father, Howell, a railroad worker; Conrad, a brother; and Grandma India, the matriarch of the family. Each person helps shape Melba into a young woman who is able to combat the horrors of racism while never losing her faith or herself.

Melba suffers greatly...