The Magical History Tour Hits the Magic City

Seven years before Brown v. Board of Education, the case of Mendez v. Westminster created a precedent for desegregation in American schools. This landmark case was brought forth by a Hispanic family whose 3rd grade daughter, Sylvia Mendez, was banned from attending an all-white school in Westminster, California. Her family’s action and courage helped change the nation.

Sandra Robbie produced the Emmy-winning documentary based on the case and in conjunction with the Post Office’s Mendez stamp unveiling, she’s traveling the country in her Volkswagen van to commemorate the event. Dubbed “The Magical History Tour,” she and a group of others will visit the Five Points West Regional Library on May 31st from 1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. They will unveil the stamp to the community and offer a screening of the documentary, “For All the Children/Para Todos Los Niños”, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Mendez v. Westminster case.

The Five Points West Branch of the Birmingham Public Library is the only location in the state of Alabama to host this U.S. Post Office stamp unveiling and documentary screening for the first case to desegregate schools.