Decades Later, Gallaudet To Honor Woman it Initially Banned

From: WJLA - Washington,DC,USA - May 10, 2004

Washington (AP) - Six decades after keeping a young woman out of school because she's black, Gallaudet University will try to right that wrong this week.

Back in the 1940's, Mary Herring Wright was denied entry to what was then called Gallaudet College. The school for the deaf and hard of hearing had a policy against admitting blacks. Instead, she went to another school, where she later became a teacher.

During Friday's graduation ceremonies, the Northeast D.C. school will give Wright an honorary bachelor's degree.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press.