Dr. Autherine Lucy Foster, the first black student at the University of Alabama (UA), died Wednesday. She was 92.
The university announced Dr. Foster’s passing in a statement on Wednesday, revealing that she was recognized with the dedication of a new building in her honor last month.
“The UA community is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, Dr. Autherine Lucy Foster,” said UA President Dr. Stuart R. Bell. “While we mourn the loss of a legend who embodied love, integrity and a spirit of determination,
— The Univ. of Alabama (@UofAlabama) March 2, 2022
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“While we mourn the loss of a legend who embodied love, integrity, and a spirit of determination, we are comforted by knowing her legacy will continue at The University of Alabama and beyond,” the statement reads. “We were privileged to dedicate Autherine Lucy Hall in her honor just last week and to hear her words of encouragement for our students. Dr. Foster will always be remembered as one who broke barriers, reminded us of the respect due to every individual, and lived a life of strength in steadfast service to her students and community.”
Dr. Foster attended UA briefly in 1956, making her the first Black student to attend classes at the then all-white university. However, following protests and threats against her life, she was expelled three days later.
During her dedication ceremony on Feb. 25, Dr. Foster disclosed that she hoped that she taught those who looked up to her that love takes care of all and it has nothing to do with color.
“If I am a master teacher, what I hope I am teaching you is that love will take care of everything in our world, don’t you think,” Dr. Foster said. “It’s not your color. It’s not how bright you are. It’s how you feel about those that you deal with.”
In 2019, Dr. Foster was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university, where she earned a master’s degree in education in 1992. She initially applied to UA in 1952 after earning a degree in English from Miles College the same year; however her acceptance to the school was rejected because she was not white. The federal court order later reversed that decision, and Foster enrolled at UA in 1956, where she would only attend for three days.
“I love The University of Alabama, and it is an honor to be recognized in this way,” Dr. Foster said. “I am thankful for opportunities such as this, which allow us to talk about the past while looking to the future.”
She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Alabama in 1991, more than 35 years after attending her first class.
Autherine Juanita Lucy was born on Oct. 5, 1929, in Shiloh, Alabama. The youngest of 10 children, she grew up on a farm owned by her parents. Additionally, her father worked as a blacksmith and made baskets and ax handles. In 1956, shortly after being expelled from the university, she married Hugh Foster, a minister. She would take substitute teaching jobs in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi but would admit it was difficult for her to find work until returning to Alabama with her family in 1974.
Dr. Foster had four children, but no information was available about their survivors.
