It was the South from a different time. Learning from other cultures allowed Jean F to change her to grow her own voice to no longer be the Shy girl of Alabama! Read her story below, exclusively on The Living Legacies…
In The Early 70’s
“In the early 70’s I started working for MSU as a secretary. I worked for Dr. MacLean, then at the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, where I eventually worked for the director of counseling, Prof. Grant. Working for Prof. Grant was exciting. He noticed my potential and decided to train me in Psych testing. His belief in me and constant encouragement helped me become more assertive. It was also as part of his team that I traveled to Auburn University, Alabama.
It Was The South
“Alabama, in the ’70s, was very different. It was the South, and being from the North, I did not quite fit in. Auburn was still quite segregated. I would, however, have a different experience when I went to Tuskegee University for training. At Tuskegee, I was warmly embraced by the people I met and the people in my testing class. I worked with people from different backgrounds, and that helped reinforce my worldview. I remained in Alabama for a year.
When I returned to MSU, I was no longer the shy girl who had grown up in Lansing. I had changed. My understanding of race and race relations had also changed.”
I Was No Longer The Shy Girl
“When I returned to MSU, I was no longer the shy girl who had grown up in Lansing. I had changed. My understanding of race and race relations had also changed. After MSU, I would go on to work for the State of Michigan in different departments. I would work for Community Health, Management and Budget and even the Department of Transportation. However, I never forgot my time at MSU.
