In 1936, William Gibbs, a teaching principal at Rockville Elementary School, took a courageous stand against racial wage disparities in education. Despite being better qualified, black teachers were earning half of what their white counterparts received. With support from the local NAACP and Maryland State Colored Teachers Association, he filed a lawsuit to equalize white and black teacher salaries for Montgomery County Public Schools.
This historical highlight began the fight for equal pay for teachers in the state of Maryland.
MCM partnered with Montgomery History to spotlight historical figures and stories in the community for Black History Month. Through this collaboration, we aim to promote understanding and appreciation of the rich history of African Americans in Montgomery County.
Read more Black History in Montgomery County by visiting the Montgomery History website.
Join us every Friday throughout Black History Month as we Highlight Historical stories from Montgomery County. This week, learn about the historic MCPS Gibbs vs Board of Education case.
Credit to @mocomdhistory for this information! #BlackHistoryMonth #MontgomeryCountyHistory pic.twitter.com/epnCJjnl7y
— Montgomery Community Media (@mymcmedia) February 9, 2024
