In 1952, Autherine Lucy Foster first applied to attend the University of Alabama. While she was accepted into one of Alabama’s top colleges, her offer was rescinded once school officials realized she was a Black woman.
A lengthy court battle ensured, ultimately allowing Foster to finally begin her freshman year at the school four years later in 1956.
Legally, Foster was to be on campus but with her first semester coming two years after the passing of Brown vs. Board Of Education, she was met with racism and hostility.
Just three days after her first day on campus, she was expelled from the school as officials claimed it was an effort to keep the peace following riots and death threats.
Six decades later, Foster returned to the school that originally banned her to receive an honorary doctorate during the 2019 Spring graduation ceremony last week. She received a master’s in education from the university in 1991.
“A legendary moment,” the school tweeted on Friday. “Thank you to civil rights pioneer + #UA legend Autherine Lucy Foster for her tenacious spirit in the face of adversity.”
“I wasn’t crying, but tears was just rolling down my eyes because it’s just so different and so unique for me to be able to come back to such a university as this,” Foster told WBRC. “As we rode across campus today, I said gee whiz this is a blessing in disguise to see the university permitting me to come back here and be involved in whatever they want to do today.
“I feel elated. Somewhat embarrassed because I don’t feel exactly worthy of what I’m getting. But I’m going to thank them and act as if I can,” she said.
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