Girard College Desegregation: How Freedom Fighters Changed History

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In 1965, a group of teenagers known as the "Freedom Fighters" began a seven-month demonstration to desegregate Girard College, an all-white boarding school in Philadelphia. Led by NAACP President Cecil B. Moore, the protesters faced arrests and violence, including the brutal beating of 14-year-old Debbie Mills-DeVaughn. But their perseverance paid off - in 1968, four Black students and two Asian American boys broke the color barrier at Girard College, paving the way for further integration.

Why it matters

The Girard College desegregation fight was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, putting Philadelphia at the center of the national struggle for racial equality. The courageous actions of the teenage Freedom Fighters challenged the entrenched segregation at the prestigious boarding school and helped reshape the city's educational landscape.

The details

Girard College was founded in the 1830s by wealthy merchant Stephen Girard, who stipulated in his will that the school would only educate white orphan boys. In 1965, a group of Black teenagers, some as young as 14, began protesting outside the college's gates, demanding integration. Led by NAACP President Cecil B. Moore, the demonstrations became the longest continuous civil rights protest in U.S. history, lasting seven months and 17 days. The protesters faced arrests and violence, including the brutal beating of 14-year-old Debbie Mills-DeVaughn by police dogs.

• The demonstrations began on May 1, 1965 and continued until December 17, 1965.
• On September 11, 1968, four Black students and two Asian American boys broke the color barrier at Girard College.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Girard College continues to grapple with its history of segregation, and the school's leadership has pledged to further diversify its student body and curriculum.