Grate Announced as Little Rock Nine Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Second-year student Lydia Grate has been announced as the recipient of the Little Rock Nine Foundation scholarship at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

The scholarship was established in 2013 by the Little Rock Nine in appreciation of President Bill Clinton and in recognition of the public service work performed by Clinton School students.

This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, when nine African American students – Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Terrence Roberts, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Thelma Mothershed Wair, and the late Jefferson Thomas – became known as the Little Rock Nine when they integrated Little Rock Central High School on September 25, 1957.

“We are honored and are most grateful to the Little Rock Nine for the establishment of this scholarship fund,” said Clinton School Dean James L. “Skip” Rutherford III. “Over the years the Little Rock Nine, as a group and individually, have participated in Clinton School programs and met with our students. Spirit Trickey, daughter of Minnijean Brown Trickey, is one of our graduates and Elizabeth Eckford spoke at our 2018 commencement.”

In June, Grate was one of 39 women selected nationally as members of the 2020 B.A. EmpowHER cohort, a program created by the B.A. Women’s Alliance for women who are bold, unapologetic, and ready to spark change. She completed summer internships with Global G.L.O.W. (Girls Leading Our World) and St. Joseph Center of Arkansas.

As a first-year student, Grate was part of a team that spent the academic year researching the impacts of Thea Foundation’s Art Closet program in the Little Rock and North Little Rock School Districts. Grate interviewed teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders in the education system connected to Thea’s Art Closet.

A native of Russellville, Ark., Grate is a Peace Corps alum and a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with degrees in broadcast journalism, public relations, and speech communications. She has lived in six countries: Togo, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, France, New Zealand, and Australia, and speaks French as a second language.

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