An Austin landmark may soon bear the name of local civil rights icon Joan Means Khabele, with the bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool slated for a notable rename. CBS Austin reports that as Black History Month concluded, the Austin Parks and Recreation Board proposed to honor the woman who, through her daring act of protest, sparked the desegregation of the iconic swimming spot in the 1960s.
Kabele, who passed in 2021 at the age of 78, first integrated Austin High School in the 1950s and later, when faced with the prohibition to swim at Barton Springs during a school event, defied segregation by diving into the pool. This bold move made her the first Black person to swim there, setting in motion a series of swim-ins that would pry open the doors to equality at the springs. According to Axios, her actions were a catalyst that eventually led to the integration of Barton Springs Pool in 1962.
Her legacy continued to echo through her family, with several of Kabele’s grandchildren advocating for the renaming at a recent board meeting. “Without her efforts of desegregating Barton Springs, I wouldn’t be able to swim there today,” Palesa Khabele-Stevens, a grandchild, said in a statement obtained by CBS Austin. The current name ties back to William Barton, a slave owner from the 1800s.
The board voted unanimously to rename the bathhouse, with Austin Parks and Rec Board President Pedro Villalobos stating, “Her bravery and her dedication in trying to right a wrong has made Austin a better place,” as reported by CBS Austin. Furthermore, the Austin City Council is expected to give its final verdict on the proposal by the end of March.
Advocates believe the name change is more than a gesture; it’s a recognition of Austin’s history and commitment to inclusivity. Echoing this sentiment, Lesedi Khabele-Stevens, another of Joan’s grandchildren, told Axios, "It is important to acknowledge contributions of Black Austinites," alluding to the erasure of Black history in the city's narrative and the fight against racism and segregation. Should the council approve, the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool will stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of civil rights and equality in Austin's community.
