DeLand Woolworth’s Store Sit-In

On February 9, 1960, students from DeLand's all-Black Eucilid High School staged a sit-in at the lunch counter at DeLand Woolworth's store. One of the leaders that day was Dr. Joyce M. Cummings Cusack, who later became the first Black person elected to the Florida Legislature from Volusia County. Although lunch counter sit-ins had begun in other southern cities, DeLand's was only the second sit-in in Florida. The students also sat in at McCrory's across the street. They continued their protest for over a week, causing the lunch counters to be shut down. During the protest, the students were protected by the City of DeLand Police Department. Eventually, Woolworth's and McCrory's reopened their lunch counters and served customers regardless of color.

DeLand, Florida · United States