On October 19, 2009, Midwestern State University held a tree planting and dedication for the six plaintiffs of the Battle, et al v. Wichita Falls Junior College Dist., et al case, which is a forgotten case of the Margold Plan.  The case was active from Sept., 1951 - May, 1954, with NAACP LDF lawyers U. Simpson Tate and W. J. Durham representing the plaintiffs.  The plaintiffs were Willie Faye Battle, Maryland Virginia Menefee, Helen Muriel Davis, Golden E. Mitchell White, Wilma Jean Norris, and Carl Lawrence McBride.

In the spring semester of 2008, while taking  Dr. Ernest Dover's Black Politics class at Midwestern State University, Robert Stewart III stumbled upon this case while researching the local newspaper archives.  He wrote a paper about the desegregation of Midwestern, but did not stop there.  When the semester ended, he enlisted the aid of a classmate, Chase Thornton, and the two tracked down the original case files.  After copying these files, the two returned to Midwestern, and over the next year researched and wrote about the desegregation.  When the initial paper was finished, they approached the University to see about doing a dedication for these individuals.  With the efforts of Dr. Howard Farrel, Vice President, the event of the tree planting and dedication took place, and an event in the history of the University that was once forgotten is now proudly displayed.

Pictures:

1>  The tree planting, with two of the six plaintiffs present (Maryland V. Menefee and Helen M. Davis), along with family members of those plaintiffs that have passed away.  They are joined by Dr. Howard Farrel, Robert Stewart III, Dr. Ernest Dover, and Chase Thornton.

2>  Introduction of the people that will be planting the tree.  Maryland V. Menefee is to the left of the speaker, Cammie Dean, and Helen M. Thursby (Davis) is on her right.

3>  Another picture of Maryland V. Menefee, Cammie Dean, and Helen M. Thursby (Davis).

4>  The All One Gospel Choir

5>  Chase Thornton welcoming our honored guests.

6>  Dr. Howard Farrel speaking.

7>  Chase Thornton and Robert Stewart III observing the dedication events.

8> The MSU Student Government Association President, Kevaugn Graham.