20 Facts About Autherine Lucy

Autherine Juanita Lucy was an American activist who was the first African-American student to attend the University of Alabama, in 1956.

Autherine Lucy graduated in 1947, and went on to attend Selma University in Selma for two years, after which she studied at the historically black Miles College in Fairfield.

Autherine Lucy graduated from Miles with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1952.

Autherine Lucy became friends with Pollie Myers at Miles College, and after graduation, Myers proposed that they both apply to graduate school at the University of Alabama, which had never accepted a black student.

Autherine Lucy initially thought Myers was joking, but decided to commit to the plan when Autherine Lucy realized Myers was serious.

Autherine Lucy later said that she wanted a second undergraduate degree, not for political reasons but to get the best possible education in the state.

Autherine Lucy attended her first class on Friday, February 3,1956.

At the Education Library building, Autherine Lucy locked herself in a room and prayed for strength, fearing the mob would kill her.

Finally the president and trustees of the university of Alabama asked Autherine Lucy to leave for her own safety and the safety of the university.

The next day after Autherine Lucy was dismissed the paper came out with this headline: 'Things are quiet in Tuscaloosa today.

The university used the court case as a justification, claiming that Autherine Lucy had slandered the university and they could not have her as a student.

The NAACP, feeling that further legal action was pointless, did not contest this decision, and Autherine Lucy stopped attempting to rejoin the university.

Autherine Lucy's notoriety made it difficult at first for her to find employment as a teacher.

The Fosters moved back to Alabama in 1974, and Autherine Lucy obtained a position in the Birmingham school system.

Autherine Lucy remained a civil rights advocate for some time, making speeches at NAACP meetings around the country.

Autherine Lucy is a sister of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Autherine Lucy's grandniece, Nikema Williams, is a member of the United States House of Representatives and chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Autherine Lucy returned to speak at the ceremony and compared the crowd that welcomed her with the hatred she had encountered the first time she entered the university.

In May 2019, Autherine Lucy attended the University of Alabama's spring graduation, where the school presented her with an honorary doctorate.

Autherine Lucy's legacy continues at the University of Alabama with a $25,000 scholarship named after her and a picture of Autherine Lucy was put up at the university in 1992.