Details of a story buried 60 years in the past, concerning a young black woman, Mary Jean Price Walls, who wanted to be a teacher but was denied access to Missouri State University back in the 1950’s.
On Friday, July 30, she is scheduled to receive an honorary degree from the very same University that was once prepared to go to the Supreme Court to prevent her from attending.
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Please click the link below to listen to the Smellcast, episode 92.
Tags: 1950's, african american, bigotry, brush off, desegregation, diversity, honorary degree, injustice, Mary Jean Price Wells, missouri state university, personal perserverance, smellcast, terry wells, toppie smellie
The Smellcast 
July 30, 2010 at 1:08 pm |
Really – What is she going to do with an honorary degree? Include it on her resume’? The university should give her son a free ride.
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July 31, 2010 at 7:11 am |
Now Karen, that’s the best thought I’ve heard about this whole affair. What an excellent idea. If only it could really happen.
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August 16, 2010 at 5:21 am |
I used to work at a university and honorary degrees cost a school almost nothing. The only thing that cost anything is the ceremony, if there is one. God, universities are soooo cheap.
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