From the Civil Rights Digital Library: “As an 18-year old sales clerk from Maryland, Claire Toombs was arrested for her participation in a June 25, 1961, Freedom Ride from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Jackson , Mississippi, via the Illinois Central Railroad. We honor Claire for her devotion and bravery in the struggle for morality, decency and equality.

We know only that Claire, who lived in Silver Spring, was a salesperson at a women’s sports store in Chevy Chase, MD, The Sportswoman. Claire started working there while a student at B-CC as part of the Cooperative Work Experience Program. 

A recollection from classmate Rusty Johnson:  I remember that all the guys were really impressed when she won a BMW Isetta 300 from Hot Shoppes in some contest.