Abstract
Video interview with Dr. Lillian Brock Flemming, one of the first two African American females to graduate Furman University. Dr. Flemming enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university’s first African American women. She graduated in 1971, and earned her Masters of Education from Furman in 1975. In 1981, she became the first African-American woman to serve on the Greenville City Council, and in 1989 she was elected Mayor Pro Tempore. In 1995, she became Furman’s first female African-American trustee, and in 2014 Lillian was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Furman University. Dr. Flemming begins the interview talking about growing up in Greenville SC, and what led her to attend Furman. She shares memories of the 1960’s and the civil rights movement, integration, and her life as an African American student at Furman during those years. Dr. Flemming remembers Ernie Harrill, L. D. Johnson, and talks about President Gordon Blackwell and his relationship with the Furman students. She shares stories about her good friend, Joe Vaughn, growing up with Joe in the same neighborhood, attending Furman together, as well as life after Furman, working in education in Greenville County. Dr. Flemming talks about her appreciation for Furman, and how she sees Furman now, and the direction the school is taking. She also speaks about being on the Furman Board of Trustees, the issues they faced, and their goals. She closes the interview speaking about her continued relationship with Furman.
Scholarship Type
Faculty Scholarship
Publication Date
11-17-2004
City and State
Greenville (S.C.)
Subject(s)
Furman University; History; Oral histories; Alumni and alumnae; African American college students; Segregation; Civil rights United States History; Flemming; Lillian Brock
Recommended Citation
Flemming, Lillian Brock and Tollison, Courtney, "Lillian Brock Flemming Oral History" (2004). Furman University Oral Histories. 46.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/oral-histories/46
Disciplines
History
Rights
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