The Evolution of Crimson. Jerry Aldridge
Praise for The Evolution of Crimson
“This wondrous tale, based on real events, illuminates the development of social history in the USA. The importance of this time in history brought me to this book. The story keeps me coming back again and again. Dr. Aldridge has masterfully brought Mrs. Capp’s anecdotes to life with unforgettable characters set in a majestic and worldly tale. A must read Twentieth Century American classic. No home in Alabama will be complete without a copy.”
Adam Christensen, Salt Lake City, Utah
“This book provides an exciting first-hand view of integration at the University of Alabama. I loved that the story unfolds through the eyes of a young Southern woman and chronicles her personal growth in areas such as civil rights, sexual harassment, and developing her own identity in a male dominated world.”
Susan Durant, Wallingford, Connecticut
“Having accurate civil rights history intertwined into a fascinating fiction novel catches readers turning pages in The Evolution of Crimson. Learning deeply about noted historical civil rights figures alongside a captivating well spun, compelling tale, set within the state of the University of Alabama offers authenticity. The Evolution of Crimson proves to be captivatingly delivered by authors Aldridge and Capp. This novel is a must read for all interested in civil rights history.”
Lois McFadyen Christensen, Ph.D., Birmingham, Alabama
“This book is a rare blend of serious history in a ‘Great Read’.”
Valerie Peake, Homewood, Alabama
“I enjoyed reading The Evolution of Crimson as I was a student at the University of Alabama during this time and found the book to be both memorable and meaningful.”
Tom Denton, Houston, Alabama
“Densely woven strands of multicultural family histories and descriptions of varying customs and expectations add resonance to the narrative of critical historical events and correct any assumption that the South was one-dimensional before, during or after the civil rights upheavals.”
Charlotte Abernathy, Ashland, Oregon
In Memory of
Dr. Vivian Malone Jones (1942-2005)
Dr. James Alexander Hood (1942-2013)
Acknowledgements of Reviewers
A special tribute to each of these exceptional individuals is provided at the end of this book. We wish to thank the following reviewers for their insightful contributions to this work of historical fiction. These include:
1 Anna Katherine Bruton, Vestavia Hills, Alabama
2 Dr. Lois McFadyen Christensen, Vestavia Hills, Alabama
3 Paul Christensen, Vestavia Hills, Alabama
4 Dr. Patricia Crawford, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5 Betty Denton, Houston, Alabama
6 Tom Denton, Houston, Alabama
7 Susan Sudduth Durant, Wallingford, Connecticut
8 Dr. Linda Kay Emfinger, Homewood, Alabama
9 Dr. Jennifer Lynn Kilgo, Vestavia Hills, Alabama
10 Silas Mathews, Palmdale, California
11 Valerie Peake, Homewood, Alabama
Acknowledgement of Additional Family and Friends
This book would not have been possible without the great inspiration and encouragement of many family and friends. Their unending patience and suggestions were beyond value. Both Jessica and Jerry wish to thank the following people: Gay Nell Sims, Winnie Sims Aldridge, Rebecca (Dolly) Dodd, Harrison Sims, Mary Ann Martin, Willow Dean Martin, and Clyde S. Martin.
Jessica’s heartfelt thanks go to, but are not limited to the following people: Christin Christensen, Rose Foret, Jerry Aldridge and best of all Bruce Capp. In addition she is grateful to all those wonderful people who are a part of her stories and memories. Thanks to all of you!
Jerry would like to extend a special “thank you” to the following: J. Titus Aldridge, Jessica Capp, Rodger Coleman Sanders, Dr. Mary Colette Smith, Paul Tune, Chao Dong, Dr. Milly Cowles, Dr. Grace Jepkemboi, Dr. Rose Ruto-Korir, Dr. Franchester Perkins, Dr. Toni Taylor, Dr. Vernessa Curry, Stuart Cameron Foster, Dr. Larry D. Brunson, C. Michael Baker, Dr. Maxie Kohler, Dr. Rose Ruto-Korir, Dr. Grace Jepkemboi, Dr. Bobbye Booker, Dr. E. Vicki Stokes, Dr. Jim Kirylo, Juana Perez, Michael L. Herrington, Dr. Vincent Ng, Keith Allen Miller, Hiroki Yamamoto, Rozz Embi, Ricky Aman, Jacky Zhang, John H. Poole, Larry Salvati, Brett Shaffer, Dr. Norman Sudduth, Dr. Gorman Jones, and Dr. Carol Rosenstiel, Dr. Glenda Elliot, Aver Rumley, Dr. Tommy Russell, Allene Russell, Dr. Michelle Sims, Ashley Wilson, Dr. Deborah (Debi) Strevy, and Dr. Marion Nissen.
Prologue
Beginning in November, 1907
The University of Alabama is the institution that bears its state’s name. In the fall of 1907, almost everyone in Alabama was talking about the “Crimson Tide” for it was a new way to refer to the University of Alabama football team. Auburn was expected to clobber Alabama that year in the Iron Bowl, but as Hugh Roberts, a journalist with the Birmingham Age-Herald reported, Alabama tied Auburn 6-6 in a sea of red mud. Roberts was probably the first to call the team the Crimson Tide. Later, Zipp Newman of The Birmingham News always referred to Alabama as the Crimson Tide. The name stuck. Before that, the team was often called the “Crimson White”.
For more than half of the 20th century, The University of Alabama was not only Crimson White, it was Lily White except for three days in the 1950s when the University was integrated by Autherine Lucy. She began classes on February 3, 1956, working on a master’s degree in library science. After only three days of classes, Miss Lucy was suspended from the University and later permanently expelled. Why? Because of the color of her skin. University officials said she was suspended for safety reasons. After she filed suit, the University administration permanently expelled her for slander. It took 32 years for the University to overturn Autherine Lucy’s expulsion. And, 36 years after her removal from the University, Miss Lucy returned to the University and completed a master’s degree in education.
Crimson is the color of blood. Hugh Roberts may have given the name “Crimson Tide” to the University of Alabama, but if one takes the name seriously, the Crimson Tide covered all of Alabama as the sweat and blood of valiant pioneers flowed without ceasing. Autherine Lucy was not alone in her quest for equality and fair treatment. Two months prior to Miss Lucy’s enrollment at the University, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a White passenger on a Montgomery bus. The fight for Civil Rights in Alabama would be long and hard. When the movement accelerated in the 1960s, things slowly began to change but at a great price to many people. Vivian Malone and James Hood would do their part. Amelia Boynton would pay with blood. Some, like Jimmie Lee Jackson, would pay with their lives. The state of Alabama would begin to change through a sea of crimson, washing from its northern border to the Gulf of Mexico. Individuals would evolve as well. One of these individuals would be Winifred Jessica Dodd.
Homewood, Alabama
June 11, 1963
Winifred Jessica Dodd’s body awakened to the sound of sizzling bacon, but what would happen that afternoon, would begin the awakening of her soul. She put on her crimson bathrobe with white trim because her mother did not approve of