,

Anthony Lee, a name etched in history. See A-4

VOLUME 142, NUMBER 28 THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2006 75 CENTS

Established 1865

The TThe T uskegee Newsuskegee News“Tis Better To Light A Candle Than To Curse The Darkness”

Booker T. Washington1856-1915

He lifted the veil ofignorance...

A dozen who made a difference. . .

These 12 students paved way for integration of Macon SchoolsStudents who attended the court-ordered desegregation ofMacon County Schools in 1963-64 through Lee v. TheMacon County Board of Education case are shown on coverof Tuskegee Civic Association program. Front row, from left,are: Carmen Louise Judkins, Helois Elaine Billis, Harvey

Lynn Jackson, Janis Laverne Carter and Edith ElaineHenderson. Back row: Anthony Tilford Lee, PatriciaCamille Jones, Shirley Jean Chambliss, Willie B. Wyatt Jr.,Wilma Jean Jones, Marsha Marie Sullins and Robert L.Judkins Jr.

Were first students to integrate Macon schoolsEditor’s note: On May 22, 2006, U.S.

District Court Judge Myron Thompsondismissed the Macon County Board ofEducation from the Lee v. Macon Boardof Education case that was filed in 1963.Lee v. Macon led to the integration ofMacon County schools and was laterexpanded to include 99 school districtsin Alabama. The case has been upheldseveral times by the United StatesSupreme Court and is still applicable tomany school districts in Alabama.Tuskegee News’ editor Guy Rhodestakes an in-depth look at the case andwhat has become of some those involved.See Pages A-4, A-6 and A-7 for addition-al stories and commentary.

By GUY RHODESEditor

She was only 13 years old as she satin a witness chair at the federal court-house in Opelika. It was in early 1964.

“The lawyer for the state of Alabamawas pretty rough, I’d say badgeringme,” Marsha Sullins, now MarshaSlocum, remembers.

The eighth-grade student had beenprepped to testify by a young civilrights attorney, Fred Gray, who wasstill located in Montgomery before per-sonally moving to Tuskegee, and JohnDoar, first assistant attorney generalto U.S. Attorney General Robert F.Kennedy. Doar was one of the top menin the U.S. Justice Department’s CivilRights Division.

Sullins was attempting to relateresistance she and a 11 other African-American students had encounteredin their bid to become the first of their

race to attend previously all-whiteschools in Macon County.

The judge was none other thanFrank Johnson, a legendary figurewho often butted heads with GeorgeWallace, Alabama’s segregationist gov-ernor. The two had been law schoolclassmates at the University ofAlabama.

Wallace had ordered all-whiteTuskegee High School closed rather

than admit black students in compli-ance with Lee v. the Macon CountyBoard of Education ruling thatordered the county’s school integrated.Johnson was Wallace’s worst enemy.

Not only that, Wallace used thedelaying tactic to solicit funds toestablish all-white Macon Academy.He even took steps to provide state-provided transportation and tuition

Tuskegee University’s flip-flop on who’s Miss TU headed to federal court It is not very often when there is a queen

dispute in Macon County or Tuskegee. Andit is very rare to have one at TuskegeeUniversity. Unfortunately however, thereis a dispute currently at TuskegeeUniversity.

Earlier this year, Tuskegee Universityhad its Miss Tuskegee University Pageantdhuring which Emilia Sykes was crownedMiss Tuskegee 2006-07. on that evening

there was a discrepancy with the judging.Runnerup Calida Joy McCampbell wasdeemed to have gone over the allotted timefor her speech.

After a long appeal process, TuskegeeUniversity officials stripped Sykes of hertitle and give it to McCampbell, who hadnot gone over the three minutes for herspeech.

Sykes has filed a lawsuit in federal court

against Tuskegee in an attempt to regainher crown. According to reports, Sykes’attorney Percy Squire of Ohio, Sykes’home state, stated that Tuskegee over-stepped its bounds.

Although Sykes believes her crown wastaken from her wrongly, McCampbellreceived more of the votes from the stu-dent body than Sykes and was leading inthe competition until the penalty. Sykes is

enrolled in summer school at TU, but hasdelcined to publicly comment on the pro-ceedings. Attempts to reach McCampellwere unsuccessful.

At stake is the TU scholarship that goeswith being selected Miss TuskegeeUniversity.

Minnie Austin, director of student life atTuskegee University, wrote in a prepared

School board seatshead runoff ballot

(See DIFFERENCE, P. A-66)

By JEFF THOMPSONTuskgee News Staff

Democratic Macon County Board of Education candi-dates are nearing the second hurdle in their races forPlaces 3 and 4 on the School Board. Two of the four vyingfor 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 plusone of the popular vote, the top two must face off again inpostdate election: a runoff. The runoff in Macon County,part of the process for selecting party candidates to runon the November ballot, is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18.

This year, the paper at the polls for the Democrats willlook sparse with only four names on it, but those nameshave been through the fire to get there.

For Place three, Elnora Smith-Love challenges formerboard member Aaron Robinson for his seat at the table. Inthe Primary, Smith-Love barely missed the “home free”mark, obtaining 43 percent of the vote, while Robinsonclaimed a distant second-place, receiving 27 percent ofthe 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 boardpresident Harold White is decided not to seek a fourthsix-year term.

When asked about his positions and expectations for therunoff, Robinson said he just wants people to go back outto the polls.

Mrs. Smith-Love did not respond to The TuskegeeNews’ messages for comments about the runoff.

The race for Place4 has been much more active,unearthing considerable tension between candidatesKaty Campbell and Chris Hunt since flyers were distrib-uted after the Primary that referred to Hunt as a con-victed murderer.

Incumbent Campbell maintains that she knew nothingand had nothing to do with the matter. She also believesher supporters can trust her statements.

In reference to the flyers, she said, “I don’t think that

(See ELECTION, P. A-66)

Original CommodoreMilan Williams dies

(See COMMODORE, P. A-66)

Milan B. Williams, an original member of the interna-tionally acclaimed band The Commodores, passed awaySunday, July 9, 2006 at MD Anderson Hospital inHouston, Texas.

Milan was born on Easter Sunday in Okolona, Miss. onMarch 28, 1948.

He was inspired and encouraged by his older brother,Earl, to begin playing piano as a child. His career beganin high school when he formed his ownthree-piece piece band in Okolona.His musical desire was further nur-tured as keyboard player with a bandin Tuskegee called The Jays, whichwas the predecessor to the GrammyAward winning Commodores, ofwhich he was a founding member.

Milan wrote the very first hit forthe Commodores, "Machine Gun" aswell as many others with the band"The Bump", "Let's Get Started,""Brick House," and "Wonderland,"just to name a few.

Milan, with all of his success and stardom, was a veryhumble and caring man who loved life. He grew up inNorth Mississippi, attended Tuskegee Institute where hewas an engineering major. He settled in the Los Angelesarea and was a member of the Commodores for 20 years.

In October of 2000, Milan married his sweetheart of 10years, Melanie Bruno-Williams, who remained by his sideat all times until his death. Their deep and profound loveis and always will be an inspiration to all of their familyand friends.

Since the day he was diagnosed with cancer, he was

Milan Williams

(Miss TU, P. A-66)

Photo by Jeff Thompson

Marsha Sullins Slocum, left, and her mother. . . Della Sullins look over school case legal papers

Page A-4, The Tuskegee News, July 13, 2006

Serving Macon County Since 1865

The Tuskegee News (ISSN: 644480) is published weekly byTuskegee Newspapers, Inc. 103 S. Main Street, Tuskegee,Alabama, 36083. Phone (334) 727-3020. Send E-Mail totuskegeenews@bellsouth.net Second Class Postage paid atTuskegee, Alabama. POSTMASTER — send address changesto The Tuskegee News, 103 S. Main Street, Tuskegee,Alabama, 36083. This newspaper is printed on 100 percentrecycled paper to aid in the nation’s conservation efforts.Subscription rate in Macon County, $30 per year, outside ofMacon County, $37 per year, outside state of Alabama, $42per year.

Paul R. Davis, Publisher Gayle Davis, Vice President/Treasurer

Guy Rhodes, Associate Publisher/EditorScott Richardson, Assistant to the Publisher

Jacquelyn Carlisle, ReporterJeff Thompson, Intern

The Tuskegee News

OpinionLetters to the Editor

Anthony Lee’s name etched in historyHe’s 60 years old, recently retired and back

in Tuskegee for a short vacation that unfortu-nately included a funeral for a relative, Mrs.Clentyne Hightower Reid.

His name is Anthony T. Lee, a pioneeringgraduate of Notasulga High School andAuburn University.

How time has passed. It’s been 43 yearssince civil rights attorney Fred Gray filed alawsuit that helped change of the history ofeducation in the state of Alabama. Lee v. TheMacon County Board of Education applies tothis day for many school districts in Alabama.(See related stories on Pages A-1, A-6 and A-7).

Ironically, in late May U.S. District JudgeMyron Thompson, a native of Tuskegee, dis-missed the Macon County Board of Educationfrom Lee v. Macon. That means the Maconboard has complied with the demands of thecase that has been upheld several times onappeal by the Supreme Court of the UnitedStates.

By dismissing Macon County’s school boardfrom the case, it means the board now hasunitary status. The board can now make deci-sions pertaining to operation of schools with-out having to gain the court’s permission. Forinstance, the decision last year to close SouthMacon School had to be approved by federalcourt for the Middle District of Alabama. Thatapproval wouldn’t be necessary now that theboard has unitary status.

Other defendants in Lee v. Macon have notbeen dismissed from the suit. They includethe Alabama State Board of Education, itsmembers, the state superintendent ofEducation and the governor of Alabama. Theyremain parties to the suit because ordersdealing with state-wide “facilities” and “spe-cial education” have not been dissolved.

Folks in Notasulga are concerned becausethey believe the Macon County Board ofEducation intends to close Notasulga HighSchool. Board members deny that is planned,pointing to testimony in federal court to thecontrary. Superintendent Willie Thomas Jr.explained to the court that in the board’s five-year capital plan facility renovations at theschool are district priorities over the next twoto four years.

As for Lee, he understands the importanceof the case that bears his name and its his-toric significance. He also understands he isthe lead plaintiffs and that there are 13 otherplaintiffs on the lawsuit. He was one of threeseniors who graduated the first year of inte-gration in Macon County. It was not an easypath those 12 students negotiated in the1963-64 school year. Six ended up at Shorter

and six at Notasulga to complete the schoolterm.

Gov. George Wallace attempted to closeTuskegee High School to the black studentsrather than comply with the desegregationorder coming from Lee v. Macon. The stu-dents, some as young as eighth-graders, facedtaunts, and the not so veiled threats of men(and women) carrying guns and nooses.

The high school wing at Notasulga schoolwas burned to the ground. Yet, the studentsweren’t denied. The Tuskegee CivicAssociation supported Lee v. Macon. Supportalso came from the NAACP in many counties.Next week, the NAACP will honor Tuskegee’sGray with its William Robert Ming AdvocacyAward, one of the organization’s highest hon-ors.

Lee was reminded of those fellow studentswho joined him legally and physically in help-ing desegregate Macon County Schools. Hehad lost touch with many of the other stu-dents after settling in Oceanside, Calif. wherehe retired June 1 after many years in a unionjob as a trade show installer.

Lee remembers his father, Detroit Lee,impatiently waiting for Gray to move forwardwith a lawsuit to integrate schools in MaconCounty. Detroit Lee had wanted to file a suitfor many years, but Gray was so tied up withother litigation, including Gomillion v.Lightfoot, that he promised Detroit Lee hewould be the lead plaintiff when the suit waseventually filed.

Anthony Lee was ready when the timecame. He understood the case’s significanceand eagerly awaited the opportunity the casewould provide.

He remembers the nooses, the guns, a Lifemagazine photographer being beaten up onthe school bus carrying six black students toNotasulga High School. He also remembersthe empty feeling of an unscheduled gradua-tion ceremony that included only fellow stu-dents and a couple of teachers. No family wasinvolved because the graduation was conduct-ed to avoid rumored threats to prevent blacksfrom graduating at Notasulga High School.

Lee not only was among the first threeblacks to graduate from a previously all-whiteschool in Macon County, he and fellow

Notasulga grad and plaintiff Willie B. Wyattroomed together as freshmen at AuburnUniversity in 1964-65. In 1968, Lee becamethe first African-American to graduate fromAuburn University after completing all fouryears at AU.

I graduated from Auburn in 1969. AnthonyLee’s and my paths crossed as members ofthe Auburn Law Society. He majored in histo-ry with a minor in speech while I had a jour-nalism major and minors in history andspeech. Another Tuskegeean attendingAuburn at the same time was Pete Peterson.

Lee and I recalled that Peterson was thefirst black football player--although non-schol-arship--for Coach “Shug” Jordan’s AuburnTigers. Peterson caught a touchdown passfrom future Heisman Trophy winner PatSullivan during Auburn’s spring game. Iremember because I was sports editor of theAuburn Plainsman student newspaper at thetime.

When we talked earlier this week, Lee had-n’t heard that Peterson died many years ago.Peterson was a major in the Air Force and apilot with the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’selite precision flight group. All four of the jetson the team went down during a practice ses-sion. Peterson and the other pilots died thattragic day.

Lee went on to spend a year at Rutgers LawSchool after graduating from Auburn, butdropped out and moved to California wherehe spent his working career until his recentretirement.

He says he grasps the impact of the lawsuitthat bears his name and will forever beetched in legal history, especially in Alabama.However, he admits he didn’t fully realize thedepth of the case at the time, nor did heexpect it to still have an impact more than 40years later.

Lee’s mother, Hattie M. Lee, still resides inTuskegee. Detroit Lee died a few years ago.Until his death, he remained an advocate,constantly giving the Tuskegee City council arough time for not having audits completed.

Will Anthony Lee ever return to live perma-nently in Macon County or Alabama wherehis name is so prominent? He’s not sure.Maybe.

Of one thing, he is certain. “I’m pleased that I did what I did at the

time. We knew it was going to be difficult, butthe case turned out to have a great influence--and still does,” he said.

Guy Rhodes is editor/associate publisher ofThe Tuskegee News. He can be reached atguynrhodes@bellsouth.net

GuyRhodes

Editor/Associate Publisher

Passing of Williams,an original CommodoreOn 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 inMississippi.

As we all know, the Commodores were started here inTuskegee at Tuskegee Institute. They went on to breakrecords that had been set by The Beatles. In fact, theywere called “The Black Beatles.”

As the Commodores bodyguard for seven years, I trav-eled all over the world with the group. The Commodoreswere indeed a first-class act. They treated their fans withthe 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, “MachineGun,” was a very quiet guy. He sometimes spoke morewith his looks than with his mouth. You knew when Milanwasn’t pleased; he would just look long before he wouldsay anything. But when Milan spoke, everyone listened.

Myself, like every other Commodores fans always heldout hope for a Commodores reunion. As time went by Istarted wondering if it would ever happen. With the pass-ing of Milan, I know for sure that the reunion will neverhappen with all six original members. But one thing Iknow for sure is that the other five guys will take notice ofthe silent message that Milan is sending: never put offtomorrow that which could be done today.

Sometimes I sit and remember the Commodores latemanager Benny Ashburn telling me to look after thoseguys, and as we traveled around the world, I never forgot.I always knew that I would always have mad love for theCommodores’ family.

The McGowan and Bailey families have purchased theCommodores recording and rehearsal studio in downtownTuskegee, and the most fitting tribute to the Commodoresis for the studio to become a museum. With the help ofMayor Johnny Ford, Bobby Davis, Walter McGowan, Mrs.Annie Bailey and The Tuskegee News, along with all thecitizens of Tuskegee and Alabama, we can make this trib-ute to the Commodores a reality. Stop by the museum at208 Martin Luther King Highway and pick up a pictureor something to put in your home to celebrate the historyof the Commodores.

Rest in peace Milan; we all love you.

Johnny BaileyTuskegee

Noted in Passing

Each school child,the voters’ beneficiaryEditor, The Tuskegee News:

Quickly, let me remind voters that the ElectionPrimary Run-off for the Macon County Board ofEducation members (two seats) is set for Tuesday,July 18th. Voters, our education system’s future,destiny, and policy development will depend greatlyon the choices we make at this election.

Another challenge to the voters lies in the factthat ‘Each School Child’ is the beneficiary of ourvote cast in this election. When you vote for MaconCounty School Board Members on July 18th, youare, in essence, investing in education/academicstock. Yes, stock for the school children.

Wall Street in New York City is not the only stockholding market in America. The Macon CountyBoard of Education is the primary stock marketand holder of education in this county. ‘Each SchoolChild’ in our public school system is the ‘Voters’Beneficiary’ at the polls. The market price and divi-dends will largely depend upon your voting actionor inaction on July 18th.

Each eligible voter, especially the parent/s andguardian/s of the school children, has a citizenryduty, responsibility, and sacred obligation to returnto the polls. Your vote is the stock invested for ‘EachSchool Child,’ who is the beneficiary.

Non-voters, especially parents, simply forfeit theright to cash in on any stock and positive dividendsfrom the Macon County Board of Education and theschool system. Just remember: “Each SchoolChild: The Voters’ Beneficiary.”

Elaine C. HarringtonTuskegee

Editor, The Tuskegee News:

The Macon County Ministers’Council has issued the callfor voters to return to the polls on Tuesday, July 18, 2006.It is the norm for voter turnout to be low for a runoff elec-tion.

According to Rev. Father Liston A. Garfield, president ofthe Macon County Ministers’ Council, the ministers areconcerned that voter apathy regarding our school systemwill keep many away.

The call to vote will be echoed from every pulpit inMacon County on Sunday, July 16, 2008.

Rev. Father Liston GarfieldPresident, Macon

Ministers’ Council says vote

Page A-6, The Tuskegee News, July 13, 2006

Election (From Page A-11)

hurts me at all. They (supporters) know me and they knowmy integrity. When you have worked for children for 25years your record speaks for itself.”

But Hunt continues to claim she was aware of the smearcampaign, saying his opposition was void of a “moral com-pass.” Meanwhile, the inconsistency is casting a soupy fogover the voting public.

At their forum on May 17, the Democrats of the 82ndDistrict endorsed Hunt over Campbell by a vote of 31 tosix. Campbell told The Tuskegee News the day of thePrimary that that vote wouldn’t be consistent with thecounty election results. She was right.

Campbell was a mere 11 votes shy of receiving 50 percentplus one in the June 6 Primary. Had she received those 11votes, there would be no runoff. Hunt trailed considerablyin the overall vote, claiming only 25.37 percent, barelyscraping by Loretha Stinson Ellison, who received only 29fewer votes than Hunt.

With that to consider, Hunt is facing a sizeable obstacle.It doesn’t scare him though. Hunt feels his positive cam-paign and focus on the issues can draw a crowd of votersample enough to force Campbell out of her seat.

But that’s the voter’s call, and the easiest way for the vot-ers to decide is to look at the differences.

Campbell is running for her second term on the MaconCounty Board of Education. She has also been employedas a governmental lawyer for 11 years, giving her vastunderstanding on the fiscal and legal workings of localgoverning bodies and school systems. On top of that, she’sa former president of the Alabama State PTA.

But, qualifications aside, Campbell told The TuskegeeNews that no one had come to her and told her there wasa need to find a new superintendent. However, TheTuskegee News was present at the forum held by theDemocrats of the 82nd District, when several audiencemembers, as well as an emotional Hunt, expressedextreme dissatisfaction with Superintendent Willie C.Thomas.

Campbell also told The Tuskegee News last Friday (July8) that whoever the superintendent is, she would supporthim. On the flipside, though he doesn’t want to commentso close to the runoff, Hunt came out of his corner swing-ing at the beginning of the race, preaching hard againstSuperintendent Thomas.

Since Thomas received a favorable evaluation by thestate, Campbell said that those speaking out against himare uneducated on the matter: that lack of knowledge had“promoted people to the highest level of ignorance.”

See, Campbell thinks the system is getting a bad rap itdoesn’t deserve. She wishes people would focus more onthe positive aspects of Macon County Schools, like theimproving test scores from Notasulga and Booker T.Washington High School. Hunt, however, accentuates thenegative. Pointing out the stagnant state of education inMacon County, namely the figure that Macon CountySchools ranked 129 out of 130 in the state.

That figure appears on an Annual Yearly ProgressReport (AYB) initiated by the No Child Left Behind Act.Though it is accurate, it is only one test at one point intime.

“It’s going to take the cooperation of the entire communi-ty,” said Hunt. “Five people on a board and a superinten-dent are not going to bring this system out of the rut it’sin.”

Hunt intends to prioritize teacher morale if he is elected;while Campbell feels parental involvement is the first stepto better education in Macon County. Both want to elimi-nate violence and gang activity in schools.

Another difference between the two, though, is theirpositions on a curriculum director for the system.Campbell feels school principals should be charged withoverseeing curriculum direction, while Hunt sees thingsfrom the opposite perspective. He thinks the employmentof a director will improve and enforce a higher learningcurve.

Whoever wins the runoff will still be facing LaTreaseStegall, an independent candidate, in the November gen-eral election. That’s one reason neither Hunt nor Campbellchose to plan a victory party before the troops come home.Both were humble, and wanted voters in Macon County toknow their decision is right, no matter what it is.

“I don’t have any fear of anything,” Campbell said inregards to the election. “If Chris wins, I will still supporteducation.”

Several runoffs will also appear on the Republican ballotas well. Luther Strange and George C. Wallace Jr. squareoff for Lieutenant Governor, and Wes Allen and S.Samantha Shaw will compete for State Auditor.

For Court of Civil Appeals Judge, Place No. 3,Republicans can choose between Terri WillinghamThomas and Phillip Wood.

Clay Crenshaw and Sam Welch will be on theRepublican ballot for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge,Place No. 3.

Finally, for Public Service Commission, Place No. 2,Republicans have their choice of John Amari and Perry O.Hooper Jr.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July18.

Commodore (From Page A-11)committed to fight the disease and beat it. He never gaveup and his strength and positive attitude throughout all ofthis showed his determination and true character.

Milan often spoke about how very blessed he was that hegot to live his dream, making music, and enjoy the hobbieshe loved most, flying airplanes and playing golf.

Milan leaves behind his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams,two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, brothersEarl Williams (Nettie) of Hilton Head, S.C. and LanceWilliams (Gail) of Atlanta, Ga.and sister Terry (DwightDeans) of Decatur, Ga., several special nieces, nephews,aunts, uncle and cousins. He leaves behind his mother-in-law Louise Rogalny, father-in law John Rogalny, brother-inlaw Marty Rogalny and sisters-in-law Dana Rae andKathrine Clark, all of Los Angeles.

He also leaves a large Tuskegee and "Commodores" fami-ly and many special friends who have been there through-out his illness.

Milan was preceded in death by his parents EarlL.Williams, Sr. and Julia Bowen Williams of Okolona,Mississippi.

Walter Orange spoke on behalf of the Commodores, "Hewas once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. Hegave all that he could give to the Commodores. He'll alwaysbe remembered."

Other original members of the Commodores are LionelRichie and Ronald LaPread, both natives of Tuskegee.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donationsbe made in his name to Leukemia Research at MDAnderson Hospital in Houston.

The funeral will be in Okolona on Friday, July 14, wherehe will be interred. There will be a memorial service in LosAngeles in August.

statement that a thorough investigation indicated thatMcCampbell’s speech was indeed shorter than three min-utes and she shouldn’t have received the penalty that costher the crown.

“Tuskegee University regrets that this error was made.”Austin wrote. “For this, we apologize most sincerely.”

Tuskegee University has not officially released a state-ment about the lawsuit or the situation. But a brief from allthe attorneys involved has to filed by July 19 to U.S. DistrictJudge Myron Thompson Ahearing has been set for July 31.

Miss TU (From Page A-11)

for white students to attend “TheAcademy,” as it was known.

Janis Johnson and Slocum recall wit-nessing Wallace across the street fromTuskegee High School addressingwhite students and parents. The gover-nor was encouraging them to attendthe private Macon Academy which wasinitially set up in a older home acrossfrom Tuskegee High before moving to abuilding that was constructed in thecounty. Wallace was telling the whiteswhat the state was going to do to helpthe academy get up and running.

But Wallace still had to deal withJudge Johnson who admonished thestate’s attorney the day Sullins testi-fied at the courthouse in Opelika.

“Look, this is a child,” he said, recallsSullins (Slocum).

Johnson then told the attorney to bequiet, that he would ask the youngsterany additional questions.

“He was kind and gentle, but at thesame time was no nonsense about thelaw. He enforced the law,” she says.

When all of the white students atTuskegee High School left in protest ofthe black students’ arrival, JudgeJohnson eventually agreed it was notwise economically to keep the schoolopen with 13 teachers for 12 students.

However, Johnson had a solution. Heordered the Macon County Board ofEducation to place six students each--grades eight, 11 and 12--to NotasulgaHigh and grades nine and 10 toShorter High School. Both schools hadpreviously been all white.

There was little resistance to the stu-dents attending Shorter High. Thatwasn’t the case at Notasulga where theeighth-grader Sullins was assigned.

“The six of us rode the bus toNotasulga,” says Sullins.

Her father, Palmer Sullins, followedthat first day in his car. He wanted tosee what going to happen.

When the bus crossed the smallbridge a few hundred yards from theschool, Sullins and fellow studentsShirley Chambliss, Patricia Jones,Willie Wyatt, Robert Judkins andAnthony Lee witnessed first-hand whatthey were up against.

“People were on both sides of the roadlined up like a parade, except they hadguns and nooses. Some were police-men,” says Sullins.

That wasn’t the worst of the situa-tion.

“A Life magazine photographer hadslipped onto the bus and was makingpictures and trying to hide at the sametime when we saw the crowd,” shedescribes. “Four or five in the crowd goton the bus and began beating him. Hewas pushed up against me a couple oftimes. Then they dragged him off thebus and destroyed his camera andfilm.”

The same Alabama NationalGuardsmen that had been instructedby Wallace to prevent the studentsfrom attending the previously all-whiteschools were later federalized andordered to protect the students.

When the six students arrived at theschool, Notasulga Mayor Frank Reaturned them away, stating the TownCouncil had passed a new fire safetyordinance that would make adding anadditional six students a hazard, thusthey could not attend Notasulga.

Gray, who had earned his spurs earlyon as an attorney for Rosa Parks andDr. Martin Luther King during theMontgomery Bus Boycott in the mid-1950s, quickly filed action for anotherruling by Johnson. The judge orderedthe students back to Notasulga with astern warning for Mayor Rea.

Six other students, including 10thgrader Janis Carter, rode the bus dailyto Shorter High. Just as had happenedat Notasulga, all the white studentsquit attending Shorter. Also assigned toShorter were Harvey Jackson, EllenHenderson, Wilma Jones, CarmenJudkins and Helois Billis.

Fourteen students, by their parents(See Page A-7), had filed suit in the Leev. Macon Board of Education case seek-ing admittance. A test was given to anumber of students to determine whichones would be selected. Those with thehighest scores were chosen. Only fourof the plaintiffs--Billis, Lee, Sullins andWyatt--were picked as the first stu-dents to test the integration waters inMacon County.

“I took the test without my parentsknowing about it,” points out Carter,who is married to Delbert Johnson andironically has been a teacher for about34 years in the school district thatattempted prevent her from attendingTuskegee High. She is the only one ofthe first students to integrate the sys-tem still residing in Macon County.

Students selected were notifiedthrough a strange process.

“We were told to watch the 6 o’clocknews on Channel 12 in Montgomery,”says Johnson (Carter).

Each school had one teacher pergrade and the 12 were the only stu-dents at the two schools. Originally,there were 13 students, but EddieMatthews was expelled for supposedlywhistling at a white girl. He was tragi-cally killed a few years later whileattending college in Washington D.C.

Assignments were difficult for thestudents, but they persevered. Theywere selected for their acumen and thestrong support they had from theirfamilies.

“At the time, there were so manythings offered during the summersfrom Tuskegee Institute, such as read-ing programs, lectures, baseball games,things like that,” Johnson (Carter)

explains. Slocum’s mother, Della Sullins is in

her late 80s, and has been a pioneer inmany areas. She was one of the origi-nal members of the Tuskegee CivicAssociation (TCA) and Democrats ofthe 82nd District. She also earned aneducation as a psychiatric nurse, one offew in the field. Ultimately, she wouldbe the first black instructor at TroyState University, teaching a difficultnursing course.

“They had more homework than any-one else and the teachers admittedthey were using an Auburn Universitycurriculum to make it more difficult onthem,” Della Sullins says of the effortto put up roadblocks for the students atNotasulga.

Those efforts didn’t succeed.“One teacher told me they had never

encountered such alert students,”recalls Mrs. Sullins.

Marsha Sullins Slocum says theteachers eventually grew to respect thestudents at Notasulga and the studentshad a mutual respect for the teachers.

However, there were still problems.“Sometimes, there would be tar-

babies and graffiti hanging out the out-side the school when we arrived. Thenthere was the n-word and we wouldhear molotov cocktails exploding occa-sionally,” Sullins Slocum points out.

The same was true for Johnson atShorter.

“You would ride by and see the peoplethat were to protect you shooting abird,” she says.

Both Slocum and Johnson recall fed-eral marshals always being present.

“If you went to the store, you wouldsee a white car with marshals follow-ing,” Johnson remembers.

Marshals watched the homes of thestudents and were present when thestudents moved from one place toanother. Students were picked up bybuses at their homes and had to be at acertain place at the school when it wastime to leave each day.

Slocum says the 12 students wouldspend their social time like normal,only hours at the school were different.

“We would go to functions like we hadbefore,” says Slocum. “I remember Iwent to a basketball games atTuskegee Institute High (the all-blackschool in Tuskegee). I thought I hadslipped away from the marshals, butlooked back in the stands and sawthem reading newspapers. They werealways there.”

Johnson recalls some difficulty atShorter High.

“We had a separate water fountainwith cups and had to use only a certainstall in the bathroom, even though wewere the only students,” she says.

Rev. Hardy was the principal whoordered those demeaning require-ments.

“He said he didn’t have to swearbecause he would swear on the Bible,”says Johnson of the man she consid-ered very unpleasant.

Once when riding to school on thebus, Johnson witnessed a woman dis-playing a Confederate flag with herBible open, stating she couldn’t find itin the Bible where the races shouldattend school together.

In the spring of 2004 when it wasnearing time for graduation, the highschool wing at Notasulga burned tothe ground. The fire began later Fridaynight or early Saturday. That part ofthe school was a total loss.

“Marsha woke up about 2 a.m. sayingthe school was on fire. A few minuteslater we got a phone call about thefire,” remembers Della Sullins of herdaughter’s premonition.

The fire made the national news.“I remember seeing David Brinkley

on the news, emphasizing Notasulga,Alabama,” Johnson recalls.

That ploy didn’t work.“Judge Johnson ordered a grade to be

taught in the ante rooms on each sideof the stage and the other class in theauditorium itself,” remembers Slocum.

Word got out in Notasulga that therewould never be a graduation for theblack students at the school.

Notasulga principal Sam Clemmonsoutsmarted those who made thethreats. He called the students togeth-er a week before the final day of schoolwas scheduled and held a graduationceremony. Seniors Lee, Wyatt andRobert Judkins were presented theirdiplomas, but were disappointed theirparents weren't present. The studentswere finished for the school year after

that ceremony and never returned.By the next year, Macon Academy

was in full swing. However, many stu-dents returned to Tuskegee HighSchool. So did the original students--minus the three graduates--who inte-grated the system. None of them decid-ed to go back to Tuskegee InstituteHigh School.

Many of the white students told theblack students they would have stayedthe previous year, but their parentswouldn’t let them. Some of those samestudents the following year still hadtheir prejudices.

“They wanted to touch my hair to seehow it felt,” says Slocum. “And theyasked us if we had tails.”

Integration was inevitable. The reali-ty is that the school board, other educa-tors and public officials in MaconCounty had made up their minds tomake integration work for the 1963-64school term. Wallace ordering TuskegeeHigh--now serving as Tuskegee Publicfor elementary grades--closed endedthat hope.

But that played into Gray’s hands.He had already filed similar suits toLee vs. Macon in Bullock, Montgomery,Barbour and Crenshaw Counties. TheNAACP provided the impetus for suitsin all but Macon County. The TuskegeeCivic Association was the catalystbehind the suit in Macon.

When Wallace ordered TuskegeeHigh School closed, he opened the doorto include 99 high school systems to fallunder the umbrella of Lee v. Macon. Italso brought in public colleges in

Alabama with the excep-tion of Auburn andAlabama, which Grayhad already had takenlegal action to admitVivian Malone andJames Hood atAlabama and HaroldFranklin at Auburn.

In his book “Bus Rideto Justice,” Gray writesthat Lee v. Maconaccomplished fourmajor things:

•Integrated all of Alabama’s remain-ing segregated public schools in onelawsuit, saving time and money in dis-pensing justice.

•Integrated all colleges which werethen under the State Board ofEducation without the necessity of hav-ing to file a lawsuit.

•Merged the African-American highschool athletic association with thewhite high school athletic association.

•Integrated all the state tradeschools, junior colleges, technicalschools and other colleges under thecontrol of the State Board of Educationwith this order.

Gray further points out that any timethere is a problem with schools, thatrather than file a new lawsuit, reliefcan be sought by going back to courtunder Lee v. Macon.

The dismissal of the Macon CountyBoard of Education from the case doesnot give relief to other defendants (theAlabama State Board of Education, itsmembers, the State Superintendent ofEducation and the Governor ofAlabama). They aren’t dismissedbecause of issues dealing with state-wide “facilities” and “special educa-tion.”

As for Marsha Sullins Slocum, JanisCarter Johnson and their fellow pio-neering students, they made a state-ment more than 40 years go. Theywere willing to go where none likethem had gone before, so others couldfollow in their footsteps. They left amighty imprint.

Years later, Johnson is teaching inthe system that attempted to deny her.When she graduated as the first blacknursing student at Troy State, MarshaSullins was presented her diploma bynone other than Gov. George Wallace,the same man who barred her fromTuskegee High School a few shortyears earlier.

Sitting on stage that day in Troy wasDella Sullins, the first black member ofthe faculty at Troy and a proud motherwho had filed suit that would eventual-ly draw in Gov. Wallace as a defendant.

“All I ever wanted to do was to makemy parents proud and happy,” saysMarsha.

Mission accomplished.

Guy Rhodes is editor/associate pub-lisher of The Tuskegee News. He canbe reached through e-mail at guyn-rhodes@bellsouth.net

Della SullinsCirca 1964

Difference (From Page A-11)

Tuskegee High doors lockedPrincipal E.W. Wadsworth, left, talkswith Dr. J.H.M. Henderson and hisdaughter, Ellen in 1964 as EllenHenderson was among a dozen blackstudents barred from attending previ-ously all-white Tuskegee High School.

The Tuskegee News, July 13, 2006, Page A-7

Editor’s note: The following is reproducedfrom the March 1964 issue of the SouthernSchool News published in Nashville, Tenn.The article details much of the activityinvolved with the intergration effort ofMacon County schools under the Lee v. TheMacon County Board of Education casefiled in 1963. The collage of headlines andnews stories at the right is reprodced fromthe June 23, 1964 program for the Crusadefor Citizenship Banquet sponsored by theTuskegee Civic Association. Thanks go toDr. J.H.M. Henderson of Tuskegee for thematerial.

MONTGOMERY--A three-judge federalcourt panel indicated Feb. 22 (1964) that itintended to take a broad look at Alabama'sschool laws and administrative actions.

At the conclusion of a two-day hearinggrowing out of the court-ordered desegre-gation of Tuskegee High School lastSeptember, presiding Judge Richard T.Rives of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals called for briefs from both sidesaddressed to the following questions:

•Whether Gov. George C. Wallace, StateSupt. of Education Austin R.

Meadows and the State Boardof Education should heenjoined from interferingwith desegregation in anylocal school system inAlabama.

•Whether an order shouldhe issued desegregating allpublic school systems inAlabama based on claims thatthe governor, the state boardand the superintendent ofeducation had assumed cen-

tral control in ordering Tuskegee Highclosed Jan 30 and in authorizing tuitionpayments Feb. 4 for children to attend aprivate institution.

•Whether the Alabama Pupil PlacementLaw should be declined unconstitutional inapplication.

•Whether the Alabama grant-in-aidstatutes should be declared unconstitution-al in application, or whether their use isunconstitutional when used in perpetuat-ing segregation in the state.

•Whether an existing restraining orderpreventing Gov. Wallace and the stateboard from interfering with desegregationin Macon County should be broadened intoa preliminary injunction.

•Whether any public funds have beenused to the extent that the private MaconAcademy in Tuskegee had been made aparty to the Macon County desegregationcase (Lee et al vs. Macon County Board ofEducation et al) on the contention of peti-tioners that it has become a public institu-tion and a part of the Alabama publicschool system

Speculation on Outcome.Most observers believed that the court

would enter some kind of state-wide deseg-regation order, but the consensus seemedto be that the court might not go so far asrequested by the petitioners and orderdesegregation of all school districts in thestate, on the basis of the state board's inter-vention in Macon.

More likely, it was thought, the governorand the board would be directed not tointerfere with desegregation--this and per-haps a ruling on the eligibility of privateschools, such as the Macon Academy, forstate assistance

To a large extent, the State SupremeCourt and the board itself rendered bothquestions moot. On Feb. 18, the slate'shighest court ruled, in an advisory opinionrequested by Gov. Wallace, that the boardhas no control over local systems and noauthority to close them.

Saturday, the board met in emergencysession and rescinded its Jan. 30 orderwhich had directed the Macon Countyboard to close Tuskegee High. At the sametime the board also nullified its Feb. 4directive to the Macon board ordering theboard to make state tuition grants avail-

able to white students attending privatesegregated schools. Principal beneficiarywould have been the Macon Academy,formed last fall after all 250 white studentsat Tuskegee High withdrew with the court-ordered admission of 12 Negroes.

To Other SchoolsWhen the school was ordered closed Jan.

30 for economic reasons--I3 faculty mem-bers were employed for 12 Negro students.Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. ofMontgomery ordered that six of them be

admitted to a previously all-white high school at Shorterand the other six atNotasulga.

Johnson ordered the gover-nor and the state board notto interfere. At Notasulgathe six assigned there wereturned away by MayorFrank Rea Feb. 5 with theexplanation that, under arecently adopted fire andsafety ordinance, the addi-

tional students would create an unsafe con-dition.

At Shorter, the six Negroes assignedthere entered without serious incident.

On Feb. 13, Judge Johnson orderedNotasulga city officials not to interfere withdesegregation of the high school there. Thejudge called Mayor Rea's con-tention of a safety hazardonly a ruse to circumventthe court's order.

A partial boycott of whitestudents in both citiesbecame total in a few days.The result: Tuskegee Highremained closed, Johnsonhaving agreed that its opera-

tion was uneconomic; high schools atShorter and Notasulga were attended onlyby the six Negro students assigned to each.Enrollment mounted at the MaconAcademy

State-wwide ApplicationSeizing on the state board's intervention

in Macon, Negro attorney Fred Gray of

Montgomery sought not only to end inter-ference with the court's desegregationorders but filed an amendment to the orig-inal Macon suit seeking anorder to require desegrega-tion in every system in thestate.

Johnson did not rule onthis Feb 4, deferring a hear-ing until Feb. 21 when athree-judge federal panelheard the case. The panelconsisted of Johnson, pre-siding Judge Richard T.Rives of the Fifth CircuitCourt of Appeals andDistrict Judge H.H. Groomsof Birmingham.

Plaintiffs sought to establish from testi-mony of State Supt. Meadows, Macon Supt.C.A. Pruitt and others that the state hadnot only intervened in the Macon case buthad exercised substantial control over localboards for years and had adhered to a seg-regated school policy.

The array of defense lawyers for the stateboard, the Macon County Board and theMacon Academy attempted to prove thatthe board had erred in its intervention,that it had no such authority and had suc-cessfully purged itself by rescinding itsclosing and tuition directives.

Testimony revealed that, at the urging ofGov. Wallace, state employees had con-

tributed some $2,400 to the private MaconAcademy and that other individuals andgroups over the state also had contributed.However, the defense denied that any statefunds actually had been granted for pur-poses of maintaining a segregated school.

Plaintiffs did not prove that any had, butargued that by various acts--such as

accreditation of the academy by the stateboard--the new private school was in factan integral part of the state public schoolsystem. Negro students testified that theyhad attempted to enroll at the school after

Tuskegee High was closed and wereturned away.

The plaintiffs further contended that thestate board's actions rescinding its closingand tuition orders made no difference sinceit had intervened, with or without authori-ty.

At stake was the 1955 placement law. Itwas upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in1958 as valid on its face, but the lower-court finding affirmed by the high courthad warned that the law might later proveunconstitutional "in application."

Macon Supt. Pruitt testified that hereceived directions from the state board toclose Tuskegee High, to provide transporta-tion for white pupils to other schools in thecounty, and to implement tuition grants totheir parents.

Placement LawPruitt said the placement law had been

applied when the 12 Negro students weretransferred to Tuskegee last September butthat it had not been used when white stu-dents transferred to Shorter andNotasulga.

When Montgomery attorney MarionRushton made the closing argument for thestate board Feb. 22, he was interrupted byJudge Johnson who asked what assurancethe court had the board would not againseek to assume authority over local schoolaffairs as it had in Macon. Rushton repliedthat the board had already disavowed legalauthority to intervene.

State General Attorney RichmondFlowers, who had at odds with the gover-nor and the school board, which he accusedof having committed a blunder in its inter-vention order, contended that the Maconboard was the sole defendant and plaintiffshad no legal right to ask for court ordersaffecting other boards in the state.

Joining Gray in representing the plain-tiffs were New York attorneysJack Greenberg and CharlieJones, both employed by theLegal Defense Fund ofNAACP. The U.S. JusticeDepartment was representedby St. John Barrett andRobert Owens. Gov. Wallaceand the state board were rep-resented by four prominentMontgomery law firms.

Attorney GeneralBy-PPassedFlowers, normally counsel for the state

board, was bypassed, though he said thiswas illegal. He appeared only as an attor-ney for the Macon board and, as he put it,to safeguard the legal and moral interestsof the state.

Flowers' falling-out with Wallace datesback to his inaugural statement inJanuary, 1963 when he appealed for lawand order and legal resistance, in sharpcontrast to Wallace's "segregation now, seg-regation tomorrow, segregation forever"speech.

Flowers said of the board's action rescind-ing its order that finally the members,including ex-officio chairman Wallace, hadjoined his position. "It possibly will enableme to save them from a blunder they havemade."

Earlier he had called the interventionfoolish, ill-planned and outside the law--"acatastrophe that would mean total integra-tion for Alabama. It submits every localschool board in the state to one federalcourt order."

Attorney Gray, Judge Johnson foiled efforts to halt Macon Schools integration

Headlines from 1963 and 1964 tell much of the story. . . Of attempt to desegregate schools in Macon County

Frank Rea C.A. Pruitt

Fred Gray

RichmondFlowers

AustinMeadows

The plaintiffs and defendantsin Lee v. Macon County BOE

The lead plaintiffs in the Lee v. MaconCounty Board of Education were AnthonyT. Lee and Henry A. Lee by Detroit Leeand Hattie M. Lee, their parents.

Additional plaintiffs were:•Palmer Sullins Jr., Alan D. Sullins and

Marsha Marie Sullins, by Palmer Sullinsand Della Sullins, their parents;

•Gerald Warren Billes and HeloiseElaine Billes, by I.V. Billes, their father;

•Willie M. Jackson, Jr., by Mabel H.Jackson, his mother;

•Willie B. Wyatt Jr. and Brenda J.Wyatt, by Willie B. Wyatt and Thelma A.Wyatt, their parents;

•Nelson N. Boggan Jr., by NelsonBoggan Sr. and Mamie Boggan, his par-

ents;•Willie C. Johnson Jr., Brenda Faye

Johnson and Dwight W. Johnson, byWillie C. Johnson and Ruth Johnson,their parents;

•William H. Moore and Edwina M.Moore, by L. James Moore and Edna M.Moore, their parents.

Additional defendants were:•the Macon County Board of Education

Chairman Wiley D. Ogletree;•Macon County Board of Education

members Madison Davis, John M. Davis,Harry D. Raymon and F.E. Guthrie;

•C.A. Pruitt, Superintendent of Schoolsof Macon County.

Reprinted from Southern School News, March, 1964

Six Negro students attempt to enter Notasulga High

Where are they now? First studentsto integrate Macon schools spread afar

Thirteen students were selected based ontest scores to be the first African-Americansto attend the previously all-white TuskegeeHigh School. Of the 13, only four were plain-tiffs in the Lee v. Macon County Board ofEducation case that not only led to integra-tion of Macon County schools, but also to 99other schools systems and several collegesin Alabama.

Eddie Matthews was expelled shortlyafter entering Tuskegee Public, reportedlyfor “whistling” at a white girl. That left 12students in the inaugural group of studentsthat attempted to begin classes inSeptember of 1963.

Matthews was killed a few years later inwhat was reported to be a possible drive-byshooting as he exited a college dormitory inWashington D.C.

The remaining 12 students and what isknown about them today:

•Anthony T. Lee, one of the lead plaintiffs.Recently retired from a union job as a tradeshow installer. Lives in Oceanside,California, located between Los Angeles andSan Diego. Single and has never been mar-ried. Mother Hattie Mae Lee still lives inTuskegee. Father Detroit Lee is deceased.

•Marsha Sullins (Slocum), a legal nursein Sugarland, Texas, near Houston. Marriedto Milton Slocum, a publicist. Mother DellaSullins lives in Tuskegee. Father PalmerSullins deceased. One of plaintiffs.

•Shirley Chambliss (Carter), Decatur,Illinois. where she works for CaterpillarTractor Co. she has two boys and a girl.

Mother Gladys Chambliss still lives inTuskegee.

•Carmen Judkins (Haynes), a medicaldoctor in Columbus, Georgia. Does somework at the VA Medical Center in Tuskegee.

•Harvey Jackson, deceased. •Ellen Henderson (Wimbish), Bowie,

Maryland. She and her husband, Alcee,have one daughter, a recent graduate of theUniversity of Baltimore School of Law.Nurse at an assisted living home. Daughterof Dr. J.H.M. Henderson, who resides inTuskegee. Her mother, Betty, is deceased.

•Wilma Jones (Scott), Baltimore,Maryland.

•Patty Jones (Smith) Washington D.C.Husband former dean of law school atHoward University. She is an administratorwith a government agency.

•Janice Carter (Johnson), Tuskegee.Former classroom teacher for more than 30years with Macon County School District.Now a resource instructor with MaconCounty Board of Education Central Office.Married to Delbert Johnson for 34 years.Parents William F. and Bernice T. Carterreside in Tuskegee. She and her husbandhave two adult children-- a son and adaughter.

•Helois Billis (Harris), a resident of Africa.Parents reside in New Orleans. One ofplaintiffs.

•Willie B. Wyatt, a resident of Atlanta.One of plaintiffs.

•Robert Judkins, deceased.