Interview with Limenta Locke Lymon, February 1, 1998

Interview Summary

Limenta Locke Lymon was among the first undergraduate students to attend the University of Kentucky in 1954. She describes her childhood in Lexington. Although she remembers her childhood as a struggle, she has very fond memories. Lymon had six brothers and a sister. Her father was employed with the racetrack and had to do a lot of traveling. Lymon attended Dunbar High School, the city's high school for black students.

Lymon recalls that her father did not have the funds to send her away to college, and so she attended UK. She recalls the difficulty that she had in her classes, and states that she was not as prepared for college as some of the white students. Luckily though, Lymon did not experience any racial discrimination. In fact, white classmates even tutored her, and refused money to do so. Lymon worked on the soda fountain in the student center, and recalls that everyone was friendly towards her. She states that she even served Adolph Rupp and his basketball players, and that they treated her politely.

Lymon recalls that she was astonished that her professors and classmates treated her with such kindness, because the racial climate in Lexington at that time was not very good. Lymon majored in music and states that the chorus director treated her just like the other students. She talks about her friendships with some white sorority members. Lymon attended UK for two years before getting married. She states that she would recommend that other black students go to UK.

Interview Keyword

African American families African Americans--Economic conditions. African Americans--Education. Childhood Employment--Kentucky African Americans--Employment. Rupp, Adolph, 1901-1977 Racism

Interview LC Subject

Lymon, Limenta Locke Lymon, Limenta Locke--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History African American college students--Social conditions African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions. College environment College students, Black College students--Conduct of life. College students--Social conditions Lexington (Ky.) Race relations--Kentucky Universities and colleges. Integration Race discrimination.

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.