"Colored" Waiting Area

[preciousjeni]

My mother, a fifth grade teacher, found a sign from the early 20th century that reads

"Colored Waiting Area
Grand Central Station
New York City"

Or something to that effect. During the year, she has the opportunity to teach units that are separate from the regular curriculum. In the coming year, she'll be doing a unit about the Cherokee/Tsalagi.

Now that she has found this plaque, she would like to present it to her class (none of whom, we're pretty sure, have EVER seen anything like it before) and do a unit about African Americans.

So, I'm starting to do research for her to find information that is not taught during Black History Month, but is very important history. Please help me compile a list by letting me know what information you'd like to see fifth graders learn!!