Allen, Daisey families integrate Lewes schools
Ten years after the end of the Civil War, Delaware legislators passed a Jim Crow law that effectively made Black Delawareans second-class citizens, and separated its citizens by race, including the schools. This law was not repealed until 1963.
In September 1961, Blacks were first allowed, on a voluntary basis, to attend the formerly whites-only Lewes public schools. At the insistence of their parents, Gloria, Wendy, Tony, Alfred, William and Jimmy Allen, and William, Sarah and and Deborah Daisey helped integrate the public school system over the next couple of years with some assistance of law enforcement. While it is reported there was some racist name-calling and disparate treatment, little violence was noted. In the 1961-62 school year, Gloria integrated in the 11th grade. That class picture is shown. Gloria became the first Black student to graduate from Lewes High School.
It wasn’t until 1966 that the official end of segregated schools occurred in Lewes, 12 years after the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling.
Many members of the Allen and Daisey families will be panelists at the Lewes African American Heritage Commission’s Black History Month program Saturday, Feb. 22, at Lewes Elementary. The event, moderated by Darryl Daisey, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Editor’s note: Information provided by Darryl Daisey.
