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By DAVID A. SEATON
Traveler Staff Writer
daseaton@arkcity.net

They know about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and George Washington Carver.

Now the fifth graders at Roosevelt Elementary know Donna Barlow, a local heroine of sorts who integrated the Paris Park Swimming Pool in 1962.

Barlow spoke to both fifth grade classes at Roosevelt Tuesday afternoon for Black History Month.

She was accompanied by Charles Jennings. He set the stage for the children, taking them back to a world where people were separated by race.

He had the African-American kids sit in a corner in the back of the room, and Hispanic children sit in another corner.

Fifty years ago, some whites considered people of other races "dirty" and wanted to keep them separate, he said. It was based on fear.

Black people were made to go into back doors of shops and restaurants and take their food to go.

"Right here in Arkansas City," he said.

Barlow, who three years ago was recognized by Gov. Sebelius for her actions, told the kids she decided to enter the pool after two black children died swimming in the river.

"Negro" children swam in the river because they were not admitted into the pool, she said.

Barlow was 28 or 29 at the time and a good swimmer. She was encouraged by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to integrate the pool.

She bought a ticket and walked into the pool area. Some people thought she was Hispanic, not black.

Eventually, the "law" came, she said. That night city officials held a big discussion as to whether blacks should be able to swim in the pool, she said.

There was no law against integration, so authorities decided they could not prevent it.

The students peppered Barlow with questions after her talk.

"Did people say anything to you when you were in the pool?"

No

"Where you scared?"

No

"Would you want your grandchildren to do what you did?"

Yes.

Barlow said she had white friends growing up.

"There was no problem as far as I know with the children," she said. "It was just the grown ups."

She encouraged the kids to reach for their dreams and don't settle for just one interest in life.

"Now you know about somebody who was brave enough to affect change that we still enjoy in Arkansas City," Jennings told the class. "You're going to have your opportunity to stand up for what's right, and when you do, I hope you remember this."

One student who was separated from the white children was asked how it felt.

He crinkled his nose. "I didn't like it."

ABOVE: Donna Barlow, of Arkansas City, addresses both fifth-grade classes at Roosevelt Elementary School Tuesday. She was accompanied by Charles Jennings, seated, who set the stage for when segregation was the norm throughout the country. Barlow was instrumental in the integration of Paris Park Swimming Pool in 1962.