Photo Editor Susan Ackerman was given the task of persuading the ““Little Rock Nine’’ to gather in Arkansas. This wasn’t always easy, explains National Correspondent Vern E. Smith, who, along with Senior Writer John Leland, would crisscross the country interviewing them. ““In ‘57 they had horrendous things happen to them, but they were split up in different classes and didn’t really get together to reflect on what they were going through,’’ says Smith. ““Some had only recently told their families about their experiences.’’ All nine did eventually agree to get together one weekend in August for an emotional homecoming. Says Ackerman, ““I could tell it was very difficult for them to return to a place with such painful memories. But in the end, they squared their shoulders and walked through the doors of Central High–just as they had 40 years ago.’’ By the time they said goodbye on Sunday night, NEWSWEEK’S team had agreed that this was the most moving story they had ever worked on. ““These were ordinary kids who played an extraordinary role in history, and then went on with their lives,’’ says Leland. ““I feel fortunate that I finally got to hear their stories.’’ We hope you will, too.
NEWSWEEK would also like to congratulate Contributing Editor Ellis Cose on winning the University of Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism. The judges lauded Cose for ““his breadth and depth of journalistic achievement, his influential books and editorials, his work on behalf of minority journalists, and his explorations of divisive social issues.’’ NEWSWEEK remains committed to thoughtfully probing just these kinds of issues–especially the enduring dilemma of race.
