The University of Alabama removed its first Black student because of riots. She earned her degree decades later.
Autherine Lucy was the first Black student to attend the University of Alabama.
She was born in Shiloh, Alabama, in 1929 and was the youngest of ten brothers and sisters.
Her first day at UA was on Feb. 3, 1956. Three days later there was violence on campus and she had to hide in the education building, which would later be renamed after her.
That night, school administration suspended her from campus.
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A lawsuit was built against the school because it was believed that the school helped the white mob by not having protection for her, but because the lawyers couldn't prove it, they removed their statement. The public found out and the university responded by expelling Lucy.
In 1988, the university sent Lucy a letter that she was no longer expelled and she graduated at the same time as her daughter.
There is now a scholarship named after her at UA.
Lucy died on March 2, 2022.
Throughout Black History Month, 米兰体育 13 is recognizing Alabamians who broke barriers and raised the bar for everyone. Stay with us as we honor and celebrate "Black History Moments."
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