School City of Hammond's first African-American teacher will be recognized this week.
The former Maywood Elementary School will officially be dedicated as Annie Burns-Hicks Elementary School Thursday morning at 10:00. The change was approved by the school board in January. Then at 6:00 p.m., the new documentary, "This Wall Must Come Down (The Annie Burns-Hicks Story)," will be screened for the public at Morton High School.
Burns-Hicks was hired as Hammond's first African-American teacher in 1960, but only after a discrimination suit was brought against the school district and superintendent. She remained with School City of Hammond for 40 years.
The Hammond City Council passed its own resolution Monday recognizing Burns-Hicks. Council Member Barry Tyler Jr. encouraged residents to attend Thursday's events and "honor a living legend."
