CELEBRATIONS
guess I was home about 10 years and nobody had made any
effort to desegregate the schools. A lot was going on in other
places, but nothing here.”
By 1964, Idlette Jr. was working as a classified letter carrier
at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County and had a growing
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family.
“Like any other parent, I wanted the best for my kids,” he
said. “I wanted them to have the same opportunities other
kids had.”
With backing from the NAACP, Idlette Jr. filed a federal
lawsuit against the school board around 1964, asking the
court to declare segregated schools unconstitutional.
“It was a long, drawn-out thing,” he said, “but around 1969
we finally got a favorable ruling. People were doing everything
they could to delay it. There were constant threats.”
One day, the couple was backing their car out of their
driveway when two white men pulled in behind them. Both
showed FBI badges and said they needed to talk.
“They said my name had come up a number of times at
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IF YOU GO…
What: 18th annual Pioneer Family Dinner
Who: Honoring Joe and Bernice Idlette and family
When: May 13, 6 p.m.
Where: Heritage Center, 2140 14th Ave., Vero Beach
For tickets and sponsorship information:
Call 772.770.2263 or visit Info@veroheritage.org
Proceeds to benefit Heritage Center
ED DRONDOSKI
Idlette Jr. and his wife of 62 years, Bernice, are pictured outside their home.
A newspaper photo shows Idlette, a member of the school board for 20 years, touring a new school.
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