Woman overcame discrimination as a Black student 100 years ago in Alexandria to later become Queen Mother
To close Black History Month, the Echo Press features Ione Hopson Brown, an Alexandria native and grandmother of former NPR host Michele Norris. Written By: Karen Tolkkinen | ×
This photo of Ione Hopson ran in her eighth grade yearbook with the caption, You ought to hear her speak! (Douglas County Historical Society)
Imagine being so good at public speaking that you win your high school contest. And then they won t let you go to the state competition, for one reason: The color of your skin.