They were just teenagers who wanted a chance at a better education.  But in 1959 Norfolk, that was a problem.  African-American students weren’t allowed to go to historically white schools.

Until the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision opened the door for them by striking down the doctrine of “separate but equal.”  But it still took years of legal wrangling before any of the Norfolk 17 set foot into an integrated classroom.

Then they were intimidated, threatened, cursed and subjected to all manner of racial animosity.  But the persevered…and ultimately graduated from high school, earning a place at the table of better education for the African-American students who came after.

Fast forward 50 years: for the first time ever, the Norfolk 17 came together as a group at WHRO to share the heartbreaking, heartwarming stories of their experiences during that horrible time in our history.

These stories will make you laugh, cry, shake your head and marvel at the courage and fortitude of these “babies who were denied their teenage years.”