Booker T. Washington , 1856-1915 He lifted the veil of Established 1865 ignorance... TheThe TTuskegeeuskegee NewsNews “Tis Better To Light A Candle Than To Curse The Darkness”

VOLUME 142, NUMBER 28 THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2006 75 CENTS A dozen who made a difference. . . School board seats head runoff ballot By JEFF THOMPSON Tuskgee News Staff

Democratic Macon County Board of Education candi- dates are nearing the second hurdle in their races for Places 3 and 4 on the School Board. Two of the four vying for the positions won’t quite clear the bar, though. When more than three candidates are on a Primary bal- lot for the same position and none receive 50 percent plus one of the popular vote, the top two must face off again in postdate election: a runoff. The runoff in Macon County, part of the process for selecting party candidates to run on the November ballot, is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18. This year, the paper at the polls for the Democrats will look sparse with only four names on it, but those names have been through the fire to get there. For Place three, Elnora Smith-Love challenges former board member Aaron Robinson for his seat at the table. In the Primary, Smith-Love barely missed the “home free” mark, obtaining 43 percent of the vote, while Robinson claimed a distant second-place, receiving 27 percent of the vote. Sherry A. C. Sullen finished third with 17 per- cent, followed by Jene A. Carter with 13 percent. They are seeking the seat being vacated by former board president Harold White is decided not to seek a fourth six-year term. When asked about his positions and expectations for the runoff, Robinson said he just wants people to go back out to the polls. Mrs. Smith-Love did not respond to The Tuskegee News’ messages for comments about the runoff. The race for Place4 has been much more active, These 12 students paved way for integration of Macon Schools unearthing considerable tension between candidates Students who attended the court-ordered desegregation of Lynn Jackson, Janis Laverne Carter and Edith Elaine Katy Campbell and Chris Hunt since flyers were distrib- Macon County Schools in 1963-64 through Lee v. The Henderson. Back row: Anthony Tilford Lee, Patricia uted after the Primary that referred to Hunt as a con- Macon County Board of Education case are shown on cover Camille Jones, Shirley Jean Chambliss, Willie B. Wyatt Jr., victed murderer. of Tuskegee Civic Association program. Front row, from left, Wilma Jean Jones, Marsha Marie Sullins and Robert L. Incumbent Campbell maintains that she knew nothing are: Carmen Louise Judkins, Helois Elaine Billis, Harvey Judkins Jr. and had nothing to do with the matter. She also believes her supporters can trust her statements. Were first students to integrate Macon schools In reference to the flyers, she said, “I don’t think that (See ELECTION, P. A-66) Editor’s note: On May 22, 2006, U.S. District Court Judge Myron Thompson dismissed the Macon County Board of Education from the Lee v. Macon Board of Education case that was filed in 1963. Original Commodore Lee v. Macon led to the integration of Macon County schools and was later expanded to include 99 school districts Milan Williams dies in Alabama. The case has been upheld Milan B. Williams, an original member of the interna- several times by the United States tionally acclaimed band The Commodores, passed away Supreme Court and is still applicable to Sunday, July 9, 2006 at MD Anderson Hospital in many school districts in Alabama. Tuskegee News’ editor Guy Rhodes Houston, Texas. takes an in-depth look at the case and Milan was born on Easter Sunday in Okolona, Miss. on what has become of some those involved. March 28, 1948. See Pages A-4, A-6 and A-7 for addition- He was inspired and encouraged by his older brother, al stories and commentary. Earl, to begin playing piano as a child. His career began in high school when he formed his own By GUY RHODES three-piece piece band in Okolona. Editor His musical desire was further nur- tured as keyboard player with a band She was only 13 years old as she sat in Tuskegee called The Jays, which in a witness chair at the federal court- was the predecessor to the Grammy house in Opelika. It was in early 1964. Award winning Commodores, of “The lawyer for the state of Alabama which he was a founding member. was pretty rough, I’d say badgering Milan wrote the very first hit for me,” Marsha Sullins, now Marsha Photo by Jeff Thompson the Commodores, "Machine Gun" as Slocum, remembers. well as many others with the band The eighth-grade student had been Marsha Sullins Slocum, left, and her mother "The Bump", "Let's Get Started," prepped to testify by a young civil . . . Della Sullins look over school case legal papers "Brick House," and "Wonderland," Milan Williams rights attorney, Fred Gray, who was just to name a few. still located in Montgomery before per- race to attend previously all-white than admit black students in compli- Milan, with all of his success and stardom, was a very sonally moving to Tuskegee, and John schools in Macon County. ance with Lee v. the Macon County humble and caring man who loved life. He grew up in Doar, first assistant attorney general The judge was none other than Board of Education ruling that North Mississippi, attended Tuskegee Institute where he to U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Frank Johnson, a legendary figure ordered the county’s school integrated. was an engineering major. He settled in the Los Angeles Kennedy. Doar was one of the top men who often butted heads with George Johnson was Wallace’s worst enemy. area and was a member of the Commodores for 20 years. in the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Wallace, Alabama’s segregationist gov- Not only that, Wallace used the In October of 2000, Milan married his sweetheart of 10 Rights Division. ernor. The two had been law school delaying tactic to solicit funds to years, Melanie Bruno-Williams, who remained by his side Sullins was attempting to relate classmates at the University of establish all-white Macon Academy. at all times until his death. Their deep and profound love resistance she and a 11 other African- Alabama. He even took steps to provide state- is and always will be an inspiration to all of their family American students had encountered Wallace had ordered all-white provided transportation and tuition and friends. in their bid to become the first of their Tuskegee High School closed rather (See DIFFERENCE, P. A-66) Since the day he was diagnosed with cancer, he was (See COMMODORE, P. A-66) Tuskegee University’s flip-flop on who’s Miss TU headed to federal court It is not very often when there is a queen there was a discrepancy with the judging. against Tuskegee in an attempt to regain enrolled in summer school at TU, but has dispute in Macon County or Tuskegee. And Runnerup Calida Joy McCampbell was her crown. According to reports, Sykes’ delcined to publicly comment on the pro- it is very rare to have one at Tuskegee deemed to have gone over the allotted time attorney Percy Squire of Ohio, Sykes’ ceedings. Attempts to reach McCampell University. Unfortunately however, there for her speech. home state, stated that Tuskegee over- were unsuccessful. is a dispute currently at Tuskegee After a long appeal process, Tuskegee stepped its bounds. At stake is the TU scholarship that goes University. University officials stripped Sykes of her Although Sykes believes her crown was with being selected Miss Tuskegee Earlier this year, Tuskegee University title and give it to McCampbell, who had taken from her wrongly, McCampbell University. had its Miss Tuskegee University Pageant not gone over the three minutes for her received more of the votes from the stu- Minnie Austin, director of student life at dhuring which Emilia Sykes was crowned speech. dent body than Sykes and was leading in Tuskegee University, wrote in a prepared Miss Tuskegee 2006-07. on that evening Sykes has filed a lawsuit in federal court the competition until the penalty. Sykes is (Miss TU, P. A-66) Anthony Lee, a name etched in history. See A-4 Page A-4, The Tuskegee News, July 13, 2006 Opinion Letters to the Editor Passing of Williams, an original Commodore On the passing of Milan Williams, original member of the world-famous Commodores, who died in Housston, Texas on Sunday (July 9). The funeral will be held in Mississippi.

As we all know, the Commodores were started here in Tuskegee at Tuskegee Institute. They went on to break records that had been set by The Beatles. In fact, they were called “The Black Beatles.” As the Commodores bodyguard for seven years, I trav- eled all over the world with the group. The Commodores were indeed a first-class act. They treated their fans with the utmost respect and never did mind signing auto- graphs or telling fans about Tuskegee, where it a all start- ed. Milan, who wrote the Commodores first hit, “Machine Gun,” was a very quiet guy. He sometimes spoke more with his looks than with his mouth. You knew when Milan wasn’t pleased; he would just look long before he would say anything. But when Milan spoke, everyone listened. Noted in Passing Myself, like every other Commodores fans always held out hope for a Commodores reunion. As time went by I started wondering if it would ever happen. With the pass- Anthony Lee’s name etched in history ing of Milan, I know for sure that the reunion will never happen with all six original members. But one thing I He’s 60 years old, recently retired and back Notasulga grad and plaintiff Willie B. Wyatt know for sure is that the other five guys will take notice of in Tuskegee for a short vacation that unfortu- roomed together as freshmen at Auburn the silent message that Milan is sending: never put off nately included a funeral for a relative, Mrs. Guy University in 1964-65. In 1968, Lee became tomorrow that which could be done today. Clentyne Hightower Reid. the first African-American to graduate from Sometimes I sit and remember the Commodores late His name is Anthony T. Lee, a pioneering Auburn University after completing all four graduate of Notasulga High School and Rhodes years at AU. manager Benny Ashburn telling me to look after those Auburn University. I graduated from Auburn in 1969. Anthony guys, and as we traveled around the world, I never forgot. How time has passed. It’s been 43 years Editor/ Lee’s and my paths crossed as members of I always knew that I would always have mad love for the since civil rights attorney Fred Gray filed a Associate Publisher the Auburn Law Society. He majored in histo- lawsuit that helped change of the history of ry with a minor in speech while I had a jour- Commodores’ family. and six at Notasulga to complete the school The McGowan and Bailey families have purchased the education in the state of Alabama. Lee v. The nalism major and minors in history and Macon County Board of Education applies to term. speech. Another Tuskegeean attending Commodores recording and rehearsal studio in downtown this day for many school districts in Alabama. Gov. George Wallace attempted to close Auburn at the same time was Pete Peterson. Tuskegee, and the most fitting tribute to the Commodores (See related stories on Pages A-1, A-6 and A- Tuskegee High School to the black students Lee and I recalled that Peterson was the is for the studio to become a museum. With the help of 7). rather than comply with the desegregation first black football player--although non-schol- Ironically, in late May U.S. District Judge order coming from Lee v. Macon. The stu- arship--for Coach “Shug” Jordan’s Auburn Mayor Johnny Ford, Bobby Davis, Walter McGowan, Mrs. dents, some as young as eighth-graders, faced Annie Bailey and The Tuskegee News, along with all the Myron Thompson, a native of Tuskegee, dis- Tigers. Peterson caught a touchdown pass missed the Macon County Board of Education taunts, and the not so veiled threats of men from future Heisman Trophy winner Pat citizens of Tuskegee and Alabama, we can make this trib- from Lee v. Macon. That means the Macon (and women) carrying guns and nooses. Sullivan during Auburn’s spring game. I ute to the Commodores a reality. Stop by the museum at board has complied with the demands of the The high school wing at Notasulga school remember because I was sports editor of the 208 Martin Luther King Highway and pick up a picture case that has been upheld several times on was burned to the ground. Yet, the students Auburn Plainsman student newspaper at the appeal by the Supreme Court of the United weren’t denied. The Tuskegee Civic time. or something to put in your home to celebrate the history Association supported Lee v. Macon. Support of the Commodores. States. When we talked earlier this week, Lee had- By dismissing Macon County’s school board also came from the NAACP in many counties. n’t heard that Peterson died many years ago. Rest in peace Milan; we all love you. from the case, it means the board now has Next week, the NAACP will honor Tuskegee’s Peterson was a major in the Air Force and a unitary status. The board can now make deci- Gray with its William Robert Ming Advocacy pilot with the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s Johnny Bailey sions pertaining to operation of schools with- Award, one of the organization’s highest hon- elite precision flight group. All four of the jets ors. Tuskegee out having to gain the court’s permission. For on the team went down during a practice ses- instance, the decision last year to close South Lee was reminded of those fellow students sion. Peterson and the other pilots died that Macon School had to be approved by federal who joined him legally and physically in help- tragic day. court for the Middle District of Alabama. That ing desegregate Macon County Schools. He Lee went on to spend a year at Rutgers Law approval wouldn’t be necessary now that the had lost touch with many of the other stu- School after graduating from Auburn, but Each school child, board has unitary status. dents after settling in Oceanside, Calif. where dropped out and moved to California where Other defendants in Lee v. Macon have not he retired June 1 after many years in a union he spent his working career until his recent been dismissed from the suit. They include job as a trade show installer. retirement. the voters’ beneficiary the Alabama State Board of Education, its Lee remembers his father, Detroit Lee, He says he grasps the impact of the lawsuit impatiently waiting for Gray to move forward Editor, The Tuskegee News: members, the state superintendent of that bears his name and will forever be Education and the governor of Alabama. They with a lawsuit to integrate schools in Macon etched in legal history, especially in Alabama. remain parties to the suit because orders County. Detroit Lee had wanted to file a suit However, he admits he didn’t fully realize the Quickly, let me remind voters that the Election dealing with state-wide “facilities” and “spe- for many years, but Gray was so tied up with depth of the case at the time, nor did he Primary Run-off for the Macon County Board of cial education” have not been dissolved. other litigation, including Gomillion v. expect it to still have an impact more than 40 Education members (two seats) is set for Tuesday, Folks in Notasulga are concerned because Lightfoot, that he promised Detroit Lee he years later. July 18th. Voters, our education system’s future, they believe the Macon County Board of would be the lead plaintiff when the suit was Lee’s mother, Hattie M. Lee, still resides in destiny, and policy development will depend greatly Education intends to close Notasulga High eventually filed. Tuskegee. Detroit Lee died a few years ago. on the choices we make at this election. School. Board members deny that is planned, Anthony Lee was ready when the time Until his death, he remained an advocate, Another challenge to the voters lies in the fact pointing to testimony in federal court to the came. He understood the case’s significance constantly giving the Tuskegee City council a that ‘Each School Child’ is the beneficiary of our contrary. Superintendent Willie Thomas Jr. and eagerly awaited the opportunity the case rough time for not having audits completed. would provide. vote cast in this election. When you vote for Macon explained to the court that in the board’s five- Will Anthony Lee ever return to live perma- year capital plan facility renovations at the He remembers the nooses, the guns, a Life nently in Macon County or Alabama where County School Board Members on July 18th, you magazine photographer being beaten up on are, in essence, investing in education/academic school are district priorities over the next two his name is so prominent? He’s not sure. to four years. the school bus carrying six black students to Maybe. stock. Yes, stock for the school children. As for Lee, he understands the importance Notasulga High School. He also remembers Of one thing, he is certain. Wall Street in New York City is not the only stock of the case that bears his name and its his- the empty feeling of an unscheduled gradua- “I’m pleased that I did what I did at the holding market in America. The Macon County toric significance. He also understands he is tion ceremony that included only fellow stu- time. We knew it was going to be difficult, but Board of Education is the primary stock market the lead plaintiffs and that there are 13 other dents and a couple of teachers. No family was the case turned out to have a great influence-- and holder of education in this county. ‘Each School plaintiffs on the lawsuit. He was one of three involved because the graduation was conduct- and still does,” he said. Child’ in our public school system is the ‘Voters’ seniors who graduated the first year of inte- ed to avoid rumored threats to prevent blacks Beneficiary’ at the polls. The market price and divi- gration in Macon County. It was not an easy from graduating at Notasulga High School. Guy Rhodes is editor/associate publisher of dends will largely depend upon your voting action path those 12 students negotiated in the Lee not only was among the first three The Tuskegee News. He can be reached at 1963-64 school year. Six ended up at Shorter blacks to graduate from a previously all-white [email protected] or inaction on July 18th. school in Macon County, he and fellow Each eligible voter, especially the parent/s and guardian/s of the school children, has a citizenry duty, responsibility, and sacred obligation to return to the polls. Your vote is the stock invested for ‘Each School Child,’ who is the beneficiary. Non-voters, especially parents, simply forfeit the The Tuskegee News right to cash in on any stock and positive dividends from the Macon County Board of Education and the school system. Just remember: “Each School Child: The Voters’ Beneficiary.” Serving Macon County Since 1865

Elaine C. Harrington The Tuskegee News (ISSN: 644480) is published weekly by Tuskegee Tuskegee Newspapers, Inc. 103 S. Main Street, Tuskegee, Alabama, 36083. Phone (334) 727-3020. Send E-Mail to [email protected] Second Class Postage paid at Ministers’ Council says vote Tuskegee, Alabama. POSTMASTER — send address changes to The Tuskegee News, 103 S. Main Street, Tuskegee, Editor, The Tuskegee News: Alabama, 36083. This newspaper is printed on 100 percent The Macon County Ministers’ Council has issued the call recycled paper to aid in the nation’s conservation efforts. for voters to return to the polls on Tuesday, July 18, 2006. Subscription rate in Macon County, $30 per year, outside of It is the norm for voter turnout to be low for a runoff elec- Macon County, $37 per year, outside state of Alabama, $42 tion. per year. According to Rev. Father Liston A. Garfield, president of the Macon County Ministers’ Council, the ministers are concerned that voter apathy regarding our school system Paul R. Davis, Publisher will keep many away. Gayle Davis, Vice President/Treasurer The call to vote will be echoed from every pulpit in Guy Rhodes, Associate Publisher/Editor Macon County on Sunday, July 16, 2008. Scott Richardson, Assistant to the Publisher Jacquelyn Carlisle, Reporter Rev. Father Liston Garfield President, Macon Jeff Thompson, Intern Page A-6, The Tuskegee News, July 13, 2006

(From Page A-11) Election (From Page A-11) Difference for white students to attend “The that ceremony and never returned. hurts me at all. They (supporters) know me and they know my integrity. When you have worked for children for 25 Academy,” as it was known. By the next year, Macon Academy years your record speaks for itself.” Janis Johnson and Slocum recall wit- was in full swing. However, many stu- But Hunt continues to claim she was aware of the smear nessing Wallace across the street from dents returned to Tuskegee High campaign, saying his opposition was void of a “moral com- Tuskegee High School addressing School. So did the original students-- pass.” Meanwhile, the inconsistency is casting a soupy fog white students and parents. The gover- minus the three graduates--who inte- over the voting public. nor was encouraging them to attend grated the system. None of them decid- At their forum on May 17, the Democrats of the 82nd the private Macon Academy which was ed to go back to Tuskegee Institute District endorsed Hunt over Campbell by a vote of 31 to initially set up in a older home across High School. six. Campbell told The Tuskegee News the day of the from Tuskegee High before moving to a Many of the white students told the Primary that that vote wouldn’t be consistent with the building that was constructed in the black students they would have stayed county election results. She was right. county. Wallace was telling the whites the previous year, but their parents Campbell was a mere 11 votes shy of receiving 50 percent what the state was going to do to help wouldn’t let them. Some of those same plus one in the June 6 Primary. Had she received those 11 the academy get up and running. students the following year still had votes, there would be no runoff. Hunt trailed considerably But Wallace still had to deal with their prejudices. in the overall vote, claiming only 25.37 percent, barely Judge Johnson who admonished the “They wanted to touch my hair to see scraping by Loretha Stinson Ellison, who received only 29 state’s attorney the day Sullins testi- how it felt,” says Slocum. “And they fewer votes than Hunt. fied at the courthouse in Opelika. asked us if we had tails.” With that to consider, Hunt is facing a sizeable obstacle. “Look, this is a child,” he said, recalls Integration was inevitable. The reali- It doesn’t scare him though. Hunt feels his positive cam- Sullins (Slocum). ty is that the school board, other educa- paign and focus on the issues can draw a crowd of voters Johnson then told the attorney to be tors and public officials in Macon ample enough to force Campbell out of her seat. quiet, that he would ask the youngster Tuskegee High doors locked County had made up their minds to But that’s the voter’s call, and the easiest way for the vot- any additional questions. Principal E.W. Wadsworth, left, talks make integration work for the 1963-64 with Dr. J.H.M. Henderson and his ers to decide is to look at the differences. “He was kind and gentle, but at the school term. Wallace ordering Tuskegee Campbell is running for her second term on the Macon daughter, Ellen in 1964 as Ellen same time was no nonsense about the Henderson was among a dozen black High--now serving as Tuskegee Public County Board of Education. She has also been employed law. He enforced the law,” she says. for elementary grades--closed ended as a governmental lawyer for 11 years, giving her vast students barred from attending previ- understanding on the fiscal and legal workings of local When all of the white students at ously all-white Tuskegee High School. that hope. governing bodies and school systems. On top of that, she’s Tuskegee High School left in protest of But that played into Gray’s hands. a former president of the Alabama State PTA. the black students’ arrival, Judge explains. He had already filed similar suits to But, qualifications aside, Campbell told The Tuskegee Johnson eventually agreed it was not Slocum’s mother, Della Sullins is in Lee vs. Macon in Bullock, Montgomery, News that no one had come to her and told her there was wise economically to keep the school her late 80s, and has been a pioneer in Barbour and Crenshaw Counties. The a need to find a new superintendent. However, The open with 13 teachers for 12 students. many areas. She was one of the origi- NAACP provided the impetus for suits Tuskegee News was present at the forum held by the However, Johnson had a solution. He nal members of the Tuskegee Civic in all but Macon County. The Tuskegee Democrats of the 82nd District, when several audience ordered the Macon County Board of Association (TCA) and Democrats of Civic Association was the catalyst members, as well as an emotional Hunt, expressed Education to place six students each-- the 82nd District. She also earned an behind the suit in Macon. extreme dissatisfaction with Superintendent Willie C. grades eight, 11 and 12--to Notasulga education as a psychiatric nurse, one of When Wallace ordered Tuskegee Thomas. High and grades nine and 10 to few in the field. Ultimately, she would High School closed, he opened the door Campbell also told The Tuskegee News last Friday (July Shorter High School. Both schools had be the first black instructor at Troy to include 99 high school systems to fall 8) that whoever the superintendent is, she would support previously been all white. State University, teaching a difficult under the umbrella of Lee v. Macon. It him. On the flipside, though he doesn’t want to comment There was little resistance to the stu- nursing course. also brought in public colleges in so close to the runoff, Hunt came out of his corner swing- dents attending Shorter High. That “They had more homework than any- Alabama with the excep- ing at the beginning of the race, preaching hard against wasn’t the case at Notasulga where the one else and the teachers admitted tion of Auburn and Superintendent Thomas. eighth-grader Sullins was assigned. they were using an Auburn University Alabama, which Gray Since Thomas received a favorable evaluation by the “The six of us rode the bus to had already had taken state, Campbell said that those speaking out against him curriculum to make it more difficult on Notasulga,” says Sullins. them,” Della Sullins says of the effort legal action to admit are uneducated on the matter: that lack of knowledge had Her father, Palmer Sullins, followed Vivian Malone and “promoted people to the highest level of ignorance.” to put up roadblocks for the students at that first day in his car. He wanted to Notasulga. James Hood at See, Campbell thinks the system is getting a bad rap it see what going to happen. Alabama and Harold doesn’t deserve. She wishes people would focus more on Those efforts didn’t succeed. When the bus crossed the small “One teacher told me they had never Franklin at Auburn. the positive aspects of Macon County Schools, like the bridge a few hundred yards from the In his book “Bus Ride improving test scores from Notasulga and Booker T. encountered such alert students,” school, Sullins and fellow students recalls Mrs. Sullins. to Justice,” Gray writes Washington High School. Hunt, however, accentuates the Della Sullins negative. Pointing out the stagnant state of education in Shirley Chambliss, Patricia Jones, Marsha Sullins Slocum says the that Lee v. Macon Macon County, namely the figure that Macon County Willie Wyatt, Robert Judkins and teachers eventually grew to respect the Circa 1964 accomplished four Schools ranked 129 out of 130 in the state. Anthony Lee witnessed first-hand what students at Notasulga and the students major things: That figure appears on an Annual Yearly Progress they were up against. had a mutual respect for the teachers. •Integrated all of Alabama’s remain- Report (AYB) initiated by the No Child Left Behind Act. “People were on both sides of the road However, there were still problems. ing segregated public schools in one Though it is accurate, it is only one test at one point in lined up like a parade, except they had “Sometimes, there would be tar- lawsuit, saving time and money in dis- time. guns and nooses. Some were police- babies and graffiti hanging out the out- pensing justice. “It’s going to take the cooperation of the entire communi- men,” says Sullins. side the school when we arrived. Then •Integrated all colleges which were ty,” said Hunt. “Five people on a board and a superinten- That wasn’t the worst of the situa- there was the n-word and we would then under the State Board of dent are not going to bring this system out of the rut it’s tion. hear molotov cocktails exploding occa- Education without the necessity of hav- in.” “A Life magazine photographer had sionally,” Sullins Slocum points out. ing to file a lawsuit. Hunt intends to prioritize teacher morale if he is elected; slipped onto the bus and was making The same was true for Johnson at •Merged the African-American high while Campbell feels parental involvement is the first step pictures and trying to hide at the same Shorter. school athletic association with the to better education in Macon County. Both want to elimi- time when we saw the crowd,” she “You would ride by and see the people white high school athletic association. nate violence and gang activity in schools. describes. “Four or five in the crowd got that were to protect you shooting a •Integrated all the state trade Another difference between the two, though, is their on the bus and began beating him. He bird,” she says. schools, junior colleges, technical positions on a curriculum director for the system. was pushed up against me a couple of Both Slocum and Johnson recall fed- schools and other colleges under the Campbell feels school principals should be charged with times. Then they dragged him off the eral marshals always being present. control of the State Board of Education overseeing curriculum direction, while Hunt sees things bus and destroyed his camera and with this order. from the opposite perspective. He thinks the employment “If you went to the store, you would film.” see a white car with marshals follow- Gray further points out that any time of a director will improve and enforce a higher learning The same Alabama National there is a problem with schools, that curve. ing,” Johnson remembers. Guardsmen that had been instructed Marshals watched the homes of the rather than file a new lawsuit, relief Whoever wins the runoff will still be facing LaTrease by Wallace to prevent the students can be sought by going back to court Stegall, an independent candidate, in the November gen- students and were present when the from attending the previously all-white students moved from one place to under Lee v. Macon. eral election. That’s one reason neither Hunt nor Campbell schools were later federalized and The dismissal of the Macon County chose to plan a victory party before the troops come home. another. Students were picked up by Both were humble, and wanted voters in Macon County to ordered to protect the students. buses at their homes and had to be at a Board of Education from the case does know their decision is right, no matter what it is. When the six students arrived at the certain place at the school when it was not give relief to other defendants (the “I don’t have any fear of anything,” Campbell said in school, Notasulga Mayor Frank Rea time to leave each day. Alabama State Board of Education, its regards to the election. “If Chris wins, I will still support turned them away, stating the Town Slocum says the 12 students would members, the State Superintendent of education.” Council had passed a new fire safety spend their social time like normal, Education and the Governor of Several runoffs will also appear on the Republican ballot ordinance that would make adding an only hours at the school were different. Alabama). They aren’t dismissed as well. Luther Strange and George C. Wallace Jr. square additional six students a hazard, thus “We would go to functions like we had because of issues dealing with state- off for Lieutenant Governor, and Wes Allen and S. they could not attend Notasulga. before,” says Slocum. “I remember I wide “facilities” and “special educa- Samantha Shaw will compete for State Auditor. Gray, who had earned his spurs early went to a basketball games at tion.” For Court of Civil Appeals Judge, Place No. 3, on as an attorney for Rosa Parks and Tuskegee Institute High (the all-black As for Marsha Sullins Slocum, Janis Republicans can choose between Terri Willingham Dr. Martin Luther King during the school in Tuskegee). I thought I had Carter Johnson and their fellow pio- Thomas and Phillip Wood. Montgomery Bus Boycott in the mid- slipped away from the marshals, but neering students, they made a state- Clay Crenshaw and Sam Welch will be on the 1950s, quickly filed action for another looked back in the stands and saw ment more than 40 years go. They Republican ballot for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, ruling by Johnson. The judge ordered them reading newspapers. They were were willing to go where none like Place No. 3. the students back to Notasulga with a always there.” them had gone before, so others could Finally, for Public Service Commission, Place No. 2, stern warning for Mayor Rea. Johnson recalls some difficulty at follow in their footsteps. They left a Republicans have their choice of John Amari and Perry O. Six other students, including 10th Shorter High. mighty imprint. Hooper Jr. grader Janis Carter, rode the bus daily “We had a separate water fountain Years later, Johnson is teaching in Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July to Shorter High. Just as had happened the system that attempted to deny her. 18. with cups and had to use only a certain at Notasulga, all the white students stall in the bathroom, even though we When she graduated as the first black quit attending Shorter. Also assigned to were the only students,” she says. nursing student at Troy State, Marsha Commodore (From Page A-11) Shorter were Harvey Jackson, Ellen Rev. Hardy was the principal who Sullins was presented her diploma by Henderson, Wilma Jones, Carmen ordered those demeaning require- none other than Gov. George Wallace, committed to fight the disease and beat it. He never gave Judkins and Helois Billis. ments. the same man who barred her from up and his strength and positive attitude throughout all of Fourteen students, by their parents “He said he didn’t have to swear Tuskegee High School a few short this showed his determination and true character. (See Page A-7), had filed suit in the Lee because he would swear on the Bible,” years earlier. Milan often spoke about how very blessed he was that he v. Macon Board of Education case seek- Sitting on stage that day in Troy was got to live his dream, making music, and enjoy the hobbies says Johnson of the man she consid- ing admittance. A test was given to a ered very unpleasant. Della Sullins, the first black member of he loved most, flying airplanes and playing golf. number of students to determine which the faculty at Troy and a proud mother Milan leaves behind his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams, Once when riding to school on the ones would be selected. Those with the bus, Johnson witnessed a woman dis- who had filed suit that would eventual- two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, brothers highest scores were chosen. Only four ly draw in Gov. Wallace as a defendant. Earl Williams (Nettie) of Hilton Head, S.C. and Lance playing a Confederate flag with her Williams (Gail) of Atlanta, Ga.and sister Terry (Dwight of the plaintiffs--Billis, Lee, Sullins and Bible open, stating she couldn’t find it “All I ever wanted to do was to make Deans) of Decatur, Ga., several special nieces, nephews, Wyatt--were picked as the first stu- in the Bible where the races should my parents proud and happy,” says aunts, uncle and cousins. He leaves behind his mother-in- dents to test the integration waters in attend school together. Marsha. law Louise Rogalny, father-in law John Rogalny, brother-in Macon County. In the spring of 2004 when it was Mission accomplished. law Marty Rogalny and sisters-in-law Dana Rae and “I took the test without my parents nearing time for graduation, the high Kathrine Clark, all of Los Angeles. knowing about it,” points out Carter, school wing at Notasulga burned to Guy Rhodes is editor/associate pub- He also leaves a large Tuskegee and "Commodores" fami- who is married to Delbert Johnson and the ground. The fire began later Friday lisher of The Tuskegee News. He can ly and many special friends who have been there through- ironically has been a teacher for about night or early Saturday. That part of be reached through e-mail at guyn- out his illness. 34 years in the school district that the school was a total loss. [email protected] Milan was preceded in death by his parents Earl attempted prevent her from attending “Marsha woke up about 2 a.m. saying L.Williams, Sr. and Julia Bowen Williams of Okolona, Tuskegee High. She is the only one of the school was on fire. A few minutes Mississippi. the first students to integrate the sys- Walter Orange spoke on behalf of the Commodores, "He later we got a phone call about the tem still residing in Macon County. fire,” remembers Della Sullins of her was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. He Students selected were notified gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He'll always daughter’s premonition. through a strange process. The fire made the national news. be remembered." “We were told to watch the 6 o’clock Other original members of the Commodores are Lionel “I remember seeing David Brinkley Richie and Ronald LaPread, both natives of Tuskegee. news on Channel 12 in Montgomery,” on the news, emphasizing Notasulga, In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations says Johnson (Carter). Alabama,” Johnson recalls. be made in his name to Leukemia Research at MD Each school had one teacher per That ploy didn’t work. Anderson Hospital in Houston. grade and the 12 were the only stu- “Judge Johnson ordered a grade to be The funeral will be in Okolona on Friday, July 14, where dents at the two schools. Originally, taught in the ante rooms on each side he will be interred. There will be a memorial service in Los there were 13 students, but Eddie of the stage and the other class in the Angeles in August. Matthews was expelled for supposedly auditorium itself,” remembers Slocum. whistling at a white girl. He was tragi- Word got out in Notasulga that there Miss TU (From Page A-11) cally killed a few years later while would never be a graduation for the attending college in Washington D.C. black students at the school. statement that a thorough investigation indicated that Assignments were difficult for the Notasulga principal Sam Clemmons McCampbell’s speech was indeed shorter than three min- students, but they persevered. They outsmarted those who made the utes and she shouldn’t have received the penalty that cost were selected for their acumen and the threats. He called the students togeth- her the crown. strong support they had from their er a week before the final day of school “Tuskegee University regrets that this error was made.” families. was scheduled and held a graduation Austin wrote. “For this, we apologize most sincerely.” “At the time, there were so many ceremony. Seniors Lee, Wyatt and Tuskegee University has not officially released a state- things offered during the summers ment about the lawsuit or the situation. But a brief from all Robert Judkins were presented their from Tuskegee Institute, such as read- diplomas, but were disappointed their the attorneys involved has to filed by July 19 to U.S. District ing programs, lectures, baseball games, Judge Myron Thompson Ahearing has been set for July 31. parents weren't present. The students things like that,” Johnson (Carter) were finished for the school year after The Tuskegee News, July 13, 2006, Page A-7 The plaintiffs and defendants Where are they now? First students in Lee v. Macon County BOE to integrate Macon schools spread afar Thirteen students were selected based on Mother Gladys Chambliss still lives in The lead plaintiffs in the Lee v. Macon ents; test scores to be the first African-Americans Tuskegee. County Board of Education were Anthony •Willie C. Johnson Jr., Brenda Faye to attend the previously all-white Tuskegee •Carmen Judkins (Haynes), a medical T. Lee and Henry A. Lee by Detroit Lee Johnson and Dwight W. Johnson, by High School. Of the 13, only four were plain- doctor in Columbus, Georgia. Does some and Hattie M. Lee, their parents. Willie C. Johnson and Ruth Johnson, tiffs in the Lee v. Macon County Board of work at the VA Medical Center in Tuskegee. Additional plaintiffs were: their parents; Education case that not only led to integra- •Harvey Jackson, deceased. •Palmer Sullins Jr., Alan D. Sullins and •William H. Moore and Edwina M. tion of Macon County schools, but also to 99 •Ellen Henderson (Wimbish), Bowie, Marsha Marie Sullins, by Palmer Sullins Moore, by L. James Moore and Edna M. other schools systems and several colleges Maryland. She and her husband, Alcee, and Della Sullins, their parents; Moore, their parents. in Alabama. have one daughter, a recent graduate of the •Gerald Warren Billes and Heloise Eddie Matthews was expelled shortly University of Baltimore School of Law. Elaine Billes, by I.V. Billes, their father; Additional defendants were: after entering Tuskegee Public, reportedly Nurse at an assisted living home. Daughter •Willie M. Jackson, Jr., by Mabel H. •the Macon County Board of Education for “whistling” at a white girl. That left 12 of Dr. J.H.M. Henderson, who resides in Jackson, his mother; Chairman Wiley D. Ogletree; students in the inaugural group of students Tuskegee. Her mother, Betty, is deceased. •Willie B. Wyatt Jr. and Brenda J. •Macon County Board of Education that attempted to begin classes in •Wilma Jones (Scott), Baltimore, Wyatt, by Willie B. Wyatt and Thelma A. members Madison Davis, John M. Davis, September of 1963. Maryland. Wyatt, their parents; Harry D. Raymon and F.E. Guthrie; Matthews was killed a few years later in •Patty Jones (Smith) Washington D.C. •Nelson N. Boggan Jr., by Nelson •C.A. Pruitt, Superintendent of Schools what was reported to be a possible drive-by Husband former dean of law school at Boggan Sr. and Mamie Boggan, his par- of Macon County. shooting as he exited a college dormitory in Howard University. She is an administrator Washington D.C. with a government agency. The remaining 12 students and what is •Janice Carter (Johnson), Tuskegee. known about them today: Former classroom teacher for more than 30 •Anthony T. Lee, one of the lead plaintiffs. years with Macon County School District. Recently retired from a union job as a trade Now a resource instructor with Macon show installer. Lives in Oceanside, County Board of Education Central Office. California, located between Los Angeles and Married to Delbert Johnson for 34 years. San Diego. Single and has never been mar- Parents William F. and Bernice T. Carter ried. Mother Hattie Mae Lee still lives in reside in Tuskegee. She and her husband Tuskegee. Father Detroit Lee is deceased. have two adult children-- a son and a •Marsha Sullins (Slocum), a legal nurse daughter. in Sugarland, Texas, near Houston. Married •Helois Billis (Harris), a resident of Africa. to Milton Slocum, a publicist. Mother Della Parents reside in New Orleans. One of Sullins lives in Tuskegee. Father Palmer plaintiffs. Sullins deceased. One of plaintiffs. •Willie B. Wyatt, a resident of Atlanta. •Shirley Chambliss (Carter), Decatur, One of plaintiffs. Reprinted from Southern School News, March, 1964 Illinois. where she works for Caterpillar •Robert Judkins, deceased. Six Negro students attempt to enter Notasulga High Tractor Co. she has two boys and a girl. Attorney Gray, Judge Johnson foiled efforts to halt Macon Schools integration

Editor’s note: The following is reproduced able to white students attending private tion was uneconomic; high schools at tributed some $2,400 to the private Macon from the March 1964 issue of the Southern segregated schools. Principal beneficiary Shorter and Notasulga were attended only Academy and that other individuals and School News published in Nashville, Tenn. would have been the Macon Academy, by the six Negro students assigned to each. groups over the state also had contributed. The article details much of the activity formed last fall after all 250 white students Enrollment mounted at the Macon However, the defense denied that any state involved with the intergration effort of at Tuskegee High withdrew with the court- Academy funds actually had been granted for pur- Macon County schools under the Lee v. The ordered admission of 12 Negroes. poses of maintaining a segregated school. Macon County Board of Education case State-wwide Application Plaintiffs did not prove that any had, but filed in 1963. The collage of headlines and To Other Schools Seizing on the state board's intervention argued that by various acts--such as news stories at the right is reprodced from When the school was ordered closed Jan. in Macon, Negro attorney Fred Gray of accreditation of the academy by the state the June 23, 1964 program for the Crusade board--the new private school was in fact for Citizenship Banquet sponsored by the an integral part of the state public school Tuskegee Civic Association. Thanks go to system. Negro students testified that they Dr. J.H.M. Henderson of Tuskegee for the had attempted to enroll at the school after material. Tuskegee High was closed and were turned away. MONTGOMERY--A three-judge federal The plaintiffs further contended that the court panel indicated Feb. 22 (1964) that it state board's actions rescinding its closing intended to take a broad look at Alabama's and tuition orders made no difference since school laws and administrative actions. it had intervened, with or without authori- At the conclusion of a two-day hearing ty. growing out of the court-ordered desegre- At stake was the 1955 placement law. It gation of Tuskegee High School last was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in September, presiding Judge Richard T. 1958 as valid on its face, but the lower- Rives of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of court finding affirmed by the high court Appeals called for briefs from both sides had warned that the law might later prove addressed to the following questions: unconstitutional "in application." •Whether Gov. George C. Wallace, State Macon Supt. Pruitt testified that he Supt. of Education Austin R. received directions from the state board to Meadows and the State Board close Tuskegee High, to provide transporta- of Education should he tion for white pupils to other schools in the enjoined from interfering county, and to implement tuition grants to with desegregation in any their parents. local school system in Alabama. Placement Law •Whether an order should Pruitt said the placement law had been he issued desegregating all applied when the 12 Negro students were public school systems in transferred to Tuskegee last September but Alabama based on claims that that it had not been used when white stu- Austin the governor, the state board dents transferred to Shorter and Meadows and the superintendent of Notasulga. education had assumed cen- When Montgomery attorney Marion tral control in ordering Tuskegee High Rushton made the closing argument for the closed Jan 30 and in authorizing tuition state board Feb. 22, he was interrupted by payments Feb. 4 for children to attend a Judge Johnson who asked what assurance private institution. the court had the board would not again •Whether the Alabama Pupil Placement seek to assume authority over local school Law should be declined unconstitutional in affairs as it had in Macon. Rushton replied application. that the board had already disavowed legal •Whether the Alabama grant-in-aid authority to intervene. statutes should be declared unconstitution- State General Attorney Richmond al in application, or whether their use is Flowers, who had at odds with the gover- unconstitutional when used in perpetuat- nor and the school board, which he accused ing segregation in the state. of having committed a blunder in its inter- •Whether an existing restraining order vention order, contended that the Macon preventing Gov. Wallace and the state board was the sole defendant and plaintiffs board from interfering with desegregation had no legal right to ask for court orders in Macon County should be broadened into affecting other boards in the state. a preliminary injunction. Joining Gray in representing the plain- •Whether any public funds have been tiffs were New York attorneys used to the extent that the private Macon Jack Greenberg and Charlie Academy in Tuskegee had been made a Headlines from 1963 and 1964 tell much of the story Jones, both employed by the party to the Macon County desegregation . . . Of attempt to desegregate schools in Macon County Legal Defense Fund of case (Lee et al vs. Macon County Board of NAACP. The U.S. Justice Education et al) on the contention of peti- 30 for economic reasons--I3 faculty mem- Montgomery sought not only to end inter- Department was represented tioners that it has become a public institu- bers were employed for 12 Negro students. ference with the court's desegregation by St. John Barrett and tion and a part of the Alabama public Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. of orders but filed an amendment to the orig- Robert Owens. Gov. Wallace school system Montgomery ordered that six of them be inal Macon suit seeking an and the state board were rep- admitted to a previously all- order to require desegrega- resented by four prominent Speculation on Outcome. white high school at Shorter tion in every system in the Montgomery law firms. Most observers believed that the court and the other six at state. Richmond would enter some kind of state-wide deseg- Notasulga. Johnson did not rule on Attorney General Flowers regation order, but the consensus seemed Johnson ordered the gover- this Feb 4, deferring a hear- By-PPassed to be that the court might not go so far as nor and the state board not ing until Feb. 21 when a Flowers, normally counsel for the state requested by the petitioners and order to interfere. At Notasulga three-judge federal panel board, was bypassed, though he said this desegregation of all school districts in the the six assigned there were heard the case. The panel was illegal. He appeared only as an attor- state, on the basis of the state board's inter- turned away by Mayor consisted of Johnson, pre- ney for the Macon board and, as he put it, vention in Macon. Frank Rea Feb. 5 with the siding Judge Richard T. to safeguard the legal and moral interests More likely, it was thought, the governor Frank Rea explanation that, under a Rives of the Fifth Circuit C.A. Pruitt of the state. and the board would be directed not to recently adopted fire and Court of Appeals and Flowers' falling-out with Wallace dates interfere with desegregation--this and per- safety ordinance, the addi- District Judge H.H. Grooms back to his inaugural statement in haps a ruling on the eligibility of private tional students would create an unsafe con- of Birmingham. January, 1963 when he appealed for law schools, such as the Macon Academy, for dition. Plaintiffs sought to establish from testi- and order and legal resistance, in sharp state assistance At Shorter, the six Negroes assigned mony of State Supt. Meadows, Macon Supt. contrast to Wallace's "segregation now, seg- To a large extent, the State Supreme there entered without serious incident. C.A. Pruitt and others that the state had regation tomorrow, segregation forever" Court and the board itself rendered both On Feb. 13, Judge Johnson ordered not only intervened in the Macon case but speech. questions moot. On Feb. 18, the slate's Notasulga city officials not to interfere with had exercised substantial control over local Flowers said of the board's action rescind- highest court ruled, in an advisory opinion desegregation of the high school there. The boards for years and had adhered to a seg- ing its order that finally the members, requested by Gov. Wallace, that the board judge called Mayor Rea's con- regated school policy. including ex-officio chairman Wallace, had has no control over local systems and no tention of a safety hazard The array of defense lawyers for the state joined his position. "It possibly will enable authority to close them. only a ruse to circumvent board, the Macon County Board and the me to save them from a blunder they have Saturday, the board met in emergency the court's order. Macon Academy attempted to prove that made." session and rescinded its Jan. 30 order A partial boycott of white the board had erred in its intervention, Earlier he had called the intervention which had directed the Macon County students in both cities that it had no such authority and had suc- foolish, ill-planned and outside the law--"a board to close Tuskegee High. At the same became total in a few days. cessfully purged itself by rescinding its catastrophe that would mean total integra- time the board also nullified its Feb. 4 The result: Tuskegee High closing and tuition directives. tion for Alabama. It submits every local directive to the Macon board ordering the remained closed, Johnson Testimony revealed that, at the urging of school board in the state to one federal board to make state tuition grants avail- having agreed that its opera- Fred Gray Gov. Wallace, state employees had con- court order."