In 1954 the United States Supreme Court issued a decision (Brown v. Board of Education) which stated that segregation in public schools was inherently unequal and ordered desegregation "with all deliberate speed." Southern legislatures, including the Georgia General Assembly, responded with laws which blocked state and local funding for public schools which desegregated. The conflict between federal and state laws created a crisis which led to the closing of public schools in parts of Virginia and Arkansas, and the threat of closure of schools in Georgia. In response, eighteen men and women in Atlanta chartered H.O.P.E., Inc. (Help Our Public Education) in December 1958. HOPE was a nonprofit, largely-volunteer organization whose objective was to prevent the closing of public schools under any circumstances. Its founders included Muriel Lokey, Maxine Friedman, Bettye Harris, Frances Pauley (1905-2003), and attorneys Lanier Randall, James Dorsey, Harry Boyte, and Hamilton Lokey (1910-1996). Members of the organization conducted rallies, gave speeches, led group discussions, and prepared printed materials aimed at informing the public of the danger of closing the public schools. Although established in Atlanta, it became a statewide organization with chapters in Augusta, Athens, Columbus, Gainesville, Jonesboro, Macon, Marietta, Rome, and Savannah. The organization employed one paid staff member and was financed by contributions from supporters. Its operations were carried out by committees of volunteers in the areas of finance, public relations, legal, legislative, and state-wide organization. The pressure created by HOPE and allied organizations and individuals caused Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver to create a commission to study the problem. That commission was headed by widely-respected John Sibley (1888-1986). Ultimately, the "Sibley Report" was issued recommending the elimination of laws requiring the closure of public schools, if integrated. The Sibley recommendations, plus ever increasing pressure from alarmed citizens weakened the resolve of the Georgia politicians and Atlanta schools were integrated in the fall of 1961. The organization was disbanded shortly thereafter.
From the description of H.O.P.E., INC. (Help Our Public Education) Records, 1954-1961, undated. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 263686067
