Interview with Mary A. Adams, October 10, 1997

Interview Summary

Mary A. Adams was among the first African American graduate students to integrate the University of Kentucky. A graduate of Kentucky State University, Adams' father encouraged her to enter UK to earn her master's degree in secondary education. Adams states that her father highly valued the education of his children. Her mother was a former teacher. In September of 1949, Adams began her studies at UK. She recalls that some members of her family attempted to discourage her from attending for fear that she would be harassed, but Adams states she did not have a bad experience. Of course, her experience was different than most white students. In one class taught by future UK President Frank Dickey, she was asked to sit in an area separate from the white students. She was also ignored by many students, and one professor. Adams graduated in 1950, and states that she was graded fairly and that she was determined to show the people at UK that she could do just as well as anyone else. Adams taught high school in Cynthiana, Kentucky for five years and then came back to UK to change her certification to elementary education. She subsequently taught in Lexington-area schools for 35 years. She remembers her best experience at UK was walking across the stage to receive her degree and actually having white people clap for her. She discusses her views of integrated schools, the need for more black teachers, and her expectations for African American students.

Interview Keyword

Black college students Prejudice Graduation Education Graduate schools African American teachers. Teachers Teachers--Kentucky Teaching University of Kentucky. Graduate School

Interview LC Subject

Adams, Mary A. Adams, Mary A.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History African American college students African Americans--Education African American college students--Social conditions African American college students. African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington African Americans--Education. African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions. College environment College students, Black College students--Attitudes. College students--Conduct of life. College students--Social conditions Discrimination in higher education Education, Higher--Kentucky Integration Minorities in higher education Race discrimination. Race relations--Kentucky Racism. Universities and colleges. Women in higher education. Women--Education (Higher)

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Interview Usage

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