Interviewer
Robert Ryals
Files
Abstract
This interview, conducted by Robert Ryals on September 12, 2012, for the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program, documents Dr. Cynthia Plair Roddey’s reflections on her historic enrollment and experiences as the first African American student and graduate of Winthrop College (1964–1967). Drawing in part from a prepared narrative, Roddey recounts the circumstances that led her to apply to Winthrop, including professional aspirations, family responsibilities, and the broader context of desegregation in South Carolina following legal challenges to segregated higher education.
Roddey describes the social, institutional, and personal challenges she encountered as a pioneering student, including community reactions ranging from support and protection within her neighborhood to criticism from both white and Black communities. She discusses instances of racial bias in the classroom, the isolation she experienced among peers, and the support she received from select faculty and staff. The interview also addresses the broader climate of the Civil Rights Movement, the risks associated with integration, and the long-term emotional and psychological impact of being “the first.”
In addition to recounting her time at Winthrop, Roddey reflects on her subsequent career in education, particularly within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system during desegregation, and offers commentary on changes in educational practices, race relations, and social structures over time. She shares insights on contemporary issues including politics, diversity, immigration, and the evolving concept of the American Dream, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, mutual respect, and inclusive perspectives. The interview further explores her views on family, heritage, and identity, highlighting the complexities of racial and cultural backgrounds in the American South.
Publication Date
9-12-2012
Unique Identifier
OH 644
Format
MP3; WAV;
Length
02:25:15
Restrictions
This interview is open for use.
Recommended Citation
Roddey, Cynthia Plair and Integration, "Interview with Cynthia Plair Roddey - OH 644" (2012). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 644.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/631
LC Subject Headings
Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Interviews; Roddey, Cynthia P. (Cynthia Plair)--Political and social views; Gantt, Harvey B. (Harvey Bernard), 1943-; Winthrop College, the South Carolina College for Women--Alumni and alumnae; Winthrop College, the South Carolina College for Women--Students--History; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Winthrop University--Funds and scholarships; African American college students--South Carolina--Rock Hill--History--20th century; African American college students--South Carolina--Rock Hill--Social life and customs--20th century; African Americans--Education (Higher)--South Carolina--Rock Hill--History--20th century; 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; Racism in higher education--South Carolina--Rock Hill--History--20th century