CNN Talks with Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, Chair Emerita of Communications

Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, chair professor emerita of communications and media studies at Dominican University of California, talked with CNN about her historic role in the civil rights movement as a member of the “Little Rock Nine.”

The CNN crew spent a day on the Dominican campus with Dr. Beals, who was interviewed in Meadowlands Hall by CNN’s senior legal analyst Elie Honig. The interview ran on CNN February 16.
Watch CNN’s interview with Dr. Melba Beals
In 1957, Dr. Beals was one of nine African American high school students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Under protection of the 101st Airborne Division dispatched by President Eisenhower, the “Little Rock Nine” defied mobs and death threats to tear down walls of segregation. 

A detailed account of this history-making event may be found in Dr. Beals’ award-winning memoir, "Warriors Don’t Cry." Warriors won the 1994 American Library Association Award for Nonfiction Book of the Year. Dr. Beals also received the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Writing. 

In 1958, a voter-led shutdown of Little Rock schools occurred to prevent integration. The NAACP moved Dr. Beals to Santa Rosa, California, to continue her education and live with Dr. George and Carol McCabe. Dr. McCabe helped to establish Sonoma State University. 

Dr. Beals eventually moved to San Francisco and completed her undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University. Later, she attended Columbia University to study journalism. Returning to the Bay Area, Dr. Beals enjoyed a successful career as a news reporter for KQED, NBC, and KRON-TV. She later earned a PhD from USF in international multicultural education.

Dr. Beals joined Dominican in 1999. As chair of the Communications Department, Dr. Beals helped to shape the university’s communication and media studies major. 

Today this dynamic program includes classes in strategic communication, media production, digital media, and communication studies. Students can write across media and learn new technologies such as podcasting, broadcasting, and production of enriched online viewer experiences. 

Dr. Beals retired from Dominican in January 2014. The Melba Beals Award for Excellence in Diversity was established by Dominican to honor Dr. Beals’ legacy of courage and education.

Dr. Beals holds more than 100 awards for heroism and courage. In 1999, the U.S. Congress voted Dr. Beals and her Little Rock Nine companions the Congressional Gold Medal — the nation’s highest honor — for their contribution to the Civil Rights movement. In 2002, Dr. Beals was named to the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was honored by the Marin Human Rights Commission.