UA’s Continuing Studies Sponsors Civil Rights Photo Exhibit

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — More than 20 photographs depicting the civil rights movement, including many never publicly viewed before, will be displayed June 3-14 at The University of Alabama’s Bryant Conference Center.

The free exhibit, compiled from the archives of The Birmingham News, is sponsored by the UA College of Continuing Studies, The Birmingham News and AL.com, and will travel the state for the remainder of the year, representatives said.

“These images depict one of the most important times in our nation’s history that occurred right here in our state, just 50 years ago,” said Dr. Carolyn Dahl, dean of the College of Continuing Studies. “They represent some of our state’s most courageous citizens during the times in which they lived and died. We are very proud to be associated with this powerful exhibit.”

According to organizers, some of the photos have never been published and were all but lost until Al.com and The Birmingham News began planning the 50^th anniversary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.”

Images of the bombing of the 16^th Street Baptist church, former Gov. George Wallace’s attempt to block the desegregation at The University of Alabama, students boycotting Birmingham restaurants, and foremost leaders of the civil rights movement are included.

Dahl said she hopes the public will take the opportunity to view the exhibit. “Today, the College of Continuing Studies is able to serve many different segments of people – from the military, to high school students, to our seniors in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – in part, because of the doors opened by the courageous leaders of the civil rights movement,” she said. “We believe it will help people remember the struggles and sacrifices that led to a better Alabama and a greater nation.”

The Bryant Conference Center is located at 240 Paul W. Bryant Drive on the UA campus. The exhibit will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The exhibit is part of “Through the Doors,” a year-long series of activities and events commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the desegregation of UA in 1963 and honoring the courage and dedication of the two African American students who enrolled in the University on June 11, 1963 as well as the University’s ongoing commitment to change over the past 50 years and its commitment to continued progress in the future.  For more information, visit http://www.throughthedoors.ua.edu/index.html.

For more information about the College of Continuing Studies and its sponsorship of the photo exhibit, contact Gary Creek at 205/765-2799 or gcreek@ccs.ua.edu.