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When Rockville Colored Elementary School Principal William B. Gibbs Jr. demanded white and black teachers in Montgomery County be paid the same amount 72 years ago, he simply thought he was doing the right thing.

He never sought recognition. He didn't even tell many of his closest friends about how he and his attorney, future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, confronted racism head-on.

"He never mentioned it once," said J.B. Flynn, who was one of Gibbs' close friends and who now lives in Pennsylvania. "He was 40 years ahead of his time and was a giant of a man in spirit."

About 250 students, teachers, parents and former colleagues celebrated Gibbs' contribution to civil rights and Maryland's educational system on Saturday during the official dedication of William B. Gibbs Jr. Elementary School, 12615 Royal Crown Drive in Germantown. The school was built to relieve crowding in the Clarksburg cluster, and it is the 200th school in the district.

A reception took place in the gym at the school, which opened in the fall. 

Gibbs, who died in 1984, is known for challenging a policy that paid black teachers with similar experience half what white teachers earned.  Gibbs settled out of court with the board in 1938, and the County promised to equalize pay in the next two years.  

Partially because of his efforts, Gibbs' contract was not renewed, said Alonzo Smith, a professor of history and political science at Montgomery College. So Gibbs moved back to Pennsylvania, and he ended up teaching elementary students in New Jersey for the rest of his career, retiring in 1971.

"The world we live in today was created by people like Mr. Gibbs," Smith said.  "We live in houses that we did not build, and we drink from wells we did not dig."

Others spoke about the lasting impact of Gibbs' stand. Nina Clarke started teaching at Quince Orchard Elementary School in 1937.

"With that extra pay, I was able to pay for my brother to finish college and go to flight school," Clarke said.  "He later became one of the original Tuskegee Airmen."

 Former Montgomery County school superintendent Paul Vance also praised Gibbs' bravery.

"Can you imagine the strength and the courage it took in 1936 to challenge the status quo?" Vance said.

"That's just part of the message today, that if you do what is fair and good, a way will be made for you. Without a Mr. Gibbs, there could have never been a Paul Vance."

Flynn said Gibbs' closest friends called him "Brud."  Gibbs was described as being very short, quiet and humble.  He loved to eat peanuts and also was a baseball fan. Later in life, Gibbs became a preacher.

Last year, the County school board voted unanimously to name the school after Gibbs.

"He always believed in doing the right thing," said the Rev. Phillip Davis, a former student.  "He always said ‘Let the life I lead speak for me.'"

Principal Kim Bosnic said she hopes the students who attend the school will continue to learn about the building's namesake.

"We are very proud, and one of our goals is to teach students more and more about who he was as the year goes on," she said.