Clara Belle Williams

Clara Belle Williams (1885-1993) was the first African-American graduate of New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now New Mexico State University), became an educator, and raised sons who became doctors.

Clara Belle Williams
Born
Clara Belle Drisdale

October 29, 1885
LaGrange, Texas
DiedJuly 3, 1994(1994-07-03) (aged 108)
CitizenshipUnited States
EducationBA in English (1937)
Alma materNew Mexico College of Agriculture & Mechanic Arts (now New Mexico State University)
OccupationTeacher
EmployerBooker T. Washington School, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Known forBeing the first Black-American graduate of New Mexico State University
Spouse(s)Jasper Williams (m. 1917)
ChildrenCharles, Jasper, James

Early life and marriage

Williams was born Clara Belle Drisdale in Plum, Texas on October 29, 1885. She pursued her education on scholarship at the Prairie View Normal and Independent College, graduating as valedictorian in 1905.[1]

In 1910, she studied at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. She married Jasper Williams in 1917 and they had three sons.

College and graduate studies, teaching

In 1928 enrolled at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.[2] She earned her diploma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1937, at the age of 51.[3] She was the first African-American to graduate from the New Mexico College. For the duration of her studies, professors did not allow her into the lecture halls; she took notes and attended classes in the hallway.[4] Williams continued her studies with graduate classes into the 1950s.[5]

Williams taught at Lincoln High School, which opened in an A.M.E. Church in Las Cruces after the institution of segregation removed African American students from integrated Las Cruces schools in the 1920s when state law allowed districts to segregate. She later taught at Booker T. Washington School[6] in Las Cruces for over twenty years, after it opened in the 1930s.[7]

Family and legacy

All three of her sons became doctors: Jasper Jr., James, and Charles.[8][5][3] Williams worked as a receptionist for her sons' practices.[9]

In 1961, New Mexico State University named a street on its campus after Williams. In 1977, she was inducted into the National Education Association teachers' hall of fame. In 1980 Williams was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws degree by New Mexico State University, which also apologized for the treatment Williams was subjected to as a student.[10] In 2005 the building of the English department was renamed Clara Belle Williams Hall.[7][1] New Mexico State University offers a scholarship for undergraduates in her memory.[9]

References
  1. Writer, Kenan Heise, Tribune Staff. "CLARA B. WILLIAMS, 108, FOUNDER OF MEDICAL CLINIC". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  2. "Clara Belle Williams legacy | BlackDoctor". blackdoctor.org. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
  3. Marzell, Terry Lee (2018-02-17). "Clara Belle Williams: First in the Hearts of New Mexico State University". Chalkboard Champions. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
  4. jamaicapeacecouncil, Author (2018-10-02). Black American-graduate-of-new-mexico-state-university/ "Clara Belle Drisdale Williams – first African-American graduate of New Mexico State University" Check |url= value (help). Jamaica Peace Council. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
  5. Tallman, Charlotte (2014). Legendary Locals of Las Cruces. Arcadia Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 9781467101332.
  6. https://books.google.com/books?id=LPgNRyfXF4gC&pg=PA181&dq=booker+t+washington+school+las+cruces&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjA1brUz-rmAhXVVs0KHdyJDgAQ6AEIODAC#v=onepage&q=booker%20t%20washington%20school%20las%20cruces&f=false
  7. "Biography of Clara Belle Williams". New Mexico State University. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  8. Dr. P. Gould (November 12, 2015). "Clara B. Williams: The True Definition of Praise Him in the Hallway". Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  9. "Clara B. Williams Family Endowed Scholarship". College of Education. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  10. "New Mexico's African American Legacy: Visible, Vital, Valuable". New Mexico History Museum. 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
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