TUSCALOOSA—The first African-American student to enroll at the University of Alabama was honored with a marker on Sept. 15 in front of Bibb Graves Hall.
Autherine Lucy Foster, the first African-American woman to attempt to enroll at the University of Alabama in the 1950’s paid a visit to the campus to be honored with a sign in front of Bibb Graves Hall, the education building. She was accompanied by her husband and several other family members. The ceremony began with Dr. Stuart Bell addressing the crowd of over 200 students and faculty in attendance, “Quite frankly without your courage and without your bravery, we would not enjoy the great university as we have it today. We stand in awe at your remarkable courage that you showed at that time and also through the years and today it is that courage that we recognize through this historical marker that we celebrate today,” Bell said.
Then Bell Invited Foster up to speak, she turned her direction to the many students in attendance. At the end of her speech the marker was uncovered and revealed to Foster and her family. After the ceremony she stayed to meet students and pose for pictures, and told each student in attendance that she wanted them to work hard and be successful. “I want you to do well at this college because I believe it is one of the best colleges in the world, don’t you?” she said.
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