A black girl living in a residence hall. A black dancer on the Golden Girls squad. Situations like these rarely raise an eyebrow these days, but there was a time when events like these caused quite a stir in the University community.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs recognized some of the trailblazing black women in a Thursday night program at a standing room only African American Cultural Center.
Maxine Crump was one woman honored in the program. Crump became the first black girl to live in a University dorm. Instead of being paired with a roommate, Crump said she was separated from the residential community because of her race.
It was halfway through the year when Crump said she realized she was being segregated from other residents. Although she did not want a roommate, she said the realization served as an awakening to what was happening at the University.
Another woman recognized for her achievements as a black female was Claudeidra Minor. Minor became the first black Golden Girl at the University in 1981. While she was excited to be a part of the well-known dance team, Minor said she soon realized that membership did not mean equality.
Minor recalled an incident where a local television station filmed a feature on the Tiger Band and Golden Girls. Standing on the end of the line, Minor noticed the cameraman stop panning the camera before coming to her. When the documentary aired, Minor said she was nowhere to be seen.
      Incidents like these peppered the University for decades. The women honored recalled suffering both because of their race and gender. While it was difficult at times, several women forged onward with dogged determination.
“It was still a struggle,” said Nicole Moliere, the first black female president of the Union Governing Board. “But I was on a mission to have women recognized.”
Crump said the most hurtful thing was having so-called friends shun her in public. While other girls would talk to her in private or small situations, they would disregard her when others were around.
“Give me racial slurs over that,” Crump said.
These women battled through adversity to participate in University life. For example, it was not until 1991 that a black student was named University Homecoming Queen. While the situation has improved, barriers still remain for black women.
Amber Vlasnik, Women’s Center manager, pointed out that only 6 percent of current University undergraduate students are black females. Moreover, there are only 16 black female faculty members at the University.
“The door has been opened, and it is continuing to open,” Vlasnik said.
Crump said while “serious racial problems” still exist at the University and in the community, progress is being made, especially in the form of the AACC.
“The pioneering is still going on,” she said.
Rivers said the fact that she could sit at a program at the AACC was reward enough for facing adversity.
“It wasn’t in vain,” Rivers said. “I think we need to continue to grow.”
Crump said the concept of diversity and racial equality should be on the minds of everyone, not only blacks.
“Everyone needs to be a part of race dialogue,” she said.