Texas State to honor first 5 African-Americans who integrated university in 1963

By Matt Flores
University News Service
April 29, 2014

Texas State University will hold “Tribute and Conversation: First African-American Women Trailblazers Who Integrated Texas State” on Thursday, May 1, in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

The Office of Student Affairs is hosting the event, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., which honors the five women who were the first African Americans to attend Texas State in 1963 following court ordered desegregation. The honorees are: Georgia Hoodye Cheatham, Helen Jackson Franks, Gloria Odoms Powell, Dana J. Smith and Mabeleen Washington.

The moderated conversation will be led by Sandra Mayo, associate professor, Department of Theatre and Dance, and student Curtis Hadley. The tribute will also include musical performances and an original poem, “1963,” by Texas State student Tamara Johnson.

Contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs with any questions at (512) 245-2152 or via e-mail at vpsa@txstate.edu.