As Black History Month comes to a close, FEA President Andrew Spar and Vice President Carole Gauronskas were in central Florida on Wednesday, February 23 to join the Brevard Federation of Teachers, the NAACP, and many others to remember the legacy of Harry and Harriette Moore.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore were both educators in Brevard County who began their education careers in the 1920s. They were dedicated to fighting not only for Black students to receive equitable education to white students but for Black educators to receive the same pay as their counterparts in Brevard’s whites-only schools.
The Moores were warned to stop their advocacy but continued to fight for racial equity anyways. As a result, they both lost their jobs as educators in Brevard in 1946. Even still they continued to organize their community and to fight for justice. On Christmas day 1951, their house was firebombed. The explosion killed Harry Moore and his wife died nine days later from injuries sustained from the bombing.
Wednesday’s ceremony honoring the Moores comes the day after the Brevard County School Board passed a resolution posthumously recognizing the Moores as Brevard County Teachers Emeritus. The resolution further stipulates elementary and secondary students will be taught a social studies curriculum titled the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Legacy Curriculum starting next year. Additionally, 8th grade students will take a field trip to the Moore Cultural Center.
After the ceremony FEA President Andrew Spar remarked, “For too long issues of institutional racism have been downplayed or ignored all together in our public schools’ curriculum. This does a disservice to all students when they don’t learn the complete story of our nation’s ongoing struggle for liberty and justice for all. It is refreshing to see the Brevard Federation of Teachers and the Brevard County School Board work together to honor the Moores’ legacy. I am deeply honored that Carole and I were able to attend the ceremony. FEA remains committed to fighting for racial justice for all Florida’s students. ”
Additional resources:
Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex
NAACP letter in support of the resolution
FEA letter in support of the resolution
Florida Today article on the resolution published 2-20-21
Florida Today article on the resolution published 2-24-21
Florida Today article with photo gallery published on 2-25-21
