Alabama State University News September 17, 2021 Historic ASU Residence Hall to Be Renamed for Civil Rights Activist Jo Ann Robinson The Alabama State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously on September 17, 2021, to rename one of the campus's historic residence halls in honor of University icon and civil rights activist, Jo Ann Robinson. The Board's action came at the recommendation of ASU President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. "I am extremely gratified that the Board of Trustees saw fit to rename this historic facility in honor of one of the University's most iconic figures," Ross said. "Jo Ann Robinson was one of the catalysts behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott and is representative of the many faculty and staff members who were instrumental in bringing about one of the most impactful periods in the history of civil rights in the United States. We are proud to be able to celebrate her contributions in this manner." The Board's action follows their decision almost exactly one year ago to rename the building that for decades had carried the name of a former Ku Klux Klan leader. "I want to thank Dr. Janice Franklin, Dr. Howard Robinson and the committee members who researched the history of all of the names on buildings and streets on this campus. Our goal was to identify any names with segregationist ties and find opportunities to honor those who fought so valiantly for civil and human rights. Bibb Graves Hall was one of the buildings that I felt should be renamed as soon as possible," Ross added. The University plans to have a dedication ceremony for Jo Ann Robinson Hall at a later date. About Jo Ann Robinson Jo Ann Robinson was an Alabama State College Professor, Civil Rights Activists, and Past President of the Women's Political Council who leveraged her positions, as well as her political and personal connections, to transform American race relations when she helped launch the Direct-Action phase of the American civil rights movement. As a popular professor at ASU, Robinson was also deeply involved in Montgomery's African-American community. She assumed the presidency of the Women's Political Council (WPC) from Professor Mary Fair Burks in 1950. Under her leadership, the organization continued to host mock elections for Montgomery's African-American high school students in a program held at ASU called Youth City. On several different occasions Robinson was accompanied by other WPC members as they appeared before the Montgomery City Commission to complain about the lack of recreational outlets for black children and the need for black police officers. They also drew attention to the poor treatment endured by black bus riders using municipal transportation. Although the women saw some movement in response to their requests, they resolved to place more pressure on the city. Robinson became a key figure in launching and executing the Montgomery Bus Boycott. She was an Executive Board Member of the MIA, and she sat on the MIA Negotiation Team with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they attempted to end the boycott through discussions with the city of Montgomery and the National City Bus Lines. Ultimately, Robinson helped to initiate a boycott that solidified the black community, catapulted the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. onto the national stage, and ushered in a new and dramatic phase in African American's long struggle for civil rights. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/