Interviewer
Paul Finkelstein
Files
Abstract
This oral history interview, conducted by Paul Finkelstein on September 4, 1994, documents the life and experiences of Cynthia Plair Roddey, the first African American graduate student admitted to Winthrop College. Roddey reflects on her upbringing in an education-centered family, her early exposure to cultural and intellectual experiences, and the influential role of mentors and community in shaping her values.
The interview details her educational journey through segregated and integrated institutions, including her preparation at historically Black schools and her subsequent enrollment at Winthrop from 1964 to 1967, where she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in Library Science. Roddey discusses the circumstances of her admission during the early desegregation era, noting the relatively quiet process and her limited social integration on campus despite the absence of overt hostility.
Roddey offers insight into her academic experiences, contrasting pedagogical approaches between institutions, and reflects on her professional career as an educator and media coordinator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, community support, and high educational expectations, while also addressing broader issues of race, educational inequality, and the challenges facing African American students in integrated settings.
Throughout the interview, Roddey underscores themes of resilience, community responsibility, and the lasting impact of education, concluding with reflections on her evolving relationship with Winthrop and her hopes for future generations.
Publication Date
9-4-1994
Unique Identifier
OH 643
Format
2 Cassettes; WAV; MP3
Length
00:49:53
Restrictions
This interview is open for use.
Disciplines
Law
Recommended Citation
Roddey, Cynthia Plair and Integration, "Interview with Cynthia Plair Roddey - OH 643" (1994). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 643.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/630
LC Subject Headings
Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Interviews; Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Childhood and youth; Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Family; Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Religion; Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Awards; Presbyterian College of South Carolina--Alumni and alumnae; Johnson C. Smith University--Alumni and alumnae; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools--Employees; Winthrop College, the South Carolina College for Women--Alumni and alumnae; Winthrop College, the South Carolina College for Women--Students--History; African American college students--South Carolina--Rock Hill--History--20th century; African American college students--South Carolina--Rock Hill--Social life and customs; College students--South Carolina--Rock Hill--Social life and customs; African Americans--South Carolina--Rock Hill--Social conditions--1964-1975; College integration--South Carolina--Rock Hill--History--20th century; African Americans--Social conditions--20th century