Separate Is Never Equal

Sylvia Mendez, An Eight-Year-old Girl Of Mexican-Puerto Rican Heritage, Played An Instrumental Role In The "Mendez Vs. Westminster" Case, The Landmark Desegregation Case Of 1946. Mendez Grew Up During A Time When Most Schools Were Segregated. In The Case Of California, Hispanics Were Not Allowed To Attend Schools That Were Designated For "Whites" Only And Were Sent To So-Called "Mexican Schools." Although An American Citizen Who Spoke Perfect English, Mendez Was Denied Enrollment To A "Whites" Only School, An Event Which Prompted Her Parents To Take Action, Organise Various Sectors Of The Hispanic Community And File A Lawsuit In The Local Federal Court. The Success Of Their Actions Would Eventually Bring An End To The Era Of Segregated Education.