COLUMBIA, S.C. — A monument now stands on the campus of the University of South Carolina depicting a pivotal moment in the school's history and the Civil Rights Movement.
Friday, the school revealed the new 12-foot bronze monument that captures the moment when three Black students--Robert Anderson, Henrie Monteith Treadwell, and James Solomon Jr.--desegregated the school on September 11, 1963. The monument has granite carved steps and the figures show the trio as they entered USC's administration building over 60 years ago. The three became the first Black students at the school since Reconstruction.
Treadwell attended Friday's unveiling.
On this great getting up morning, I am no longer holding my breath, I can exhale," she said.
The statue was created by Basil Watson, who's created works honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and Rep. John Lewis.
"I am to demonstrate the profound and solemn nature of that moment when an institution forced by a court injunction, broke with this unjust tradition of segregation and opened its doors to people of all races and backgrounds and allowed them to benefit and contribute to what it had to offer," Watson said.
He was inspired by the historical photograph of the three entering USC's campus on that day in September, but does have some additional artistic choices that he added.
"The columns, incomplete and broken as they are, represent the institution and its history and its way forward. The three black students look and step ahead as they enter the institution that is built on the foundation of knowledge and this is represented by the books in the steps as they look ahead armed with their papers that represent their passport to the university and their passport to the world of knowledge."
For Treadwell, the day was one for reflection on what she and Solomon and Anderson did.
"I take great pride in knowing that in some small way 60 years ago I legally opened a door," she said.
Treadwell remembers well where she was 60 years ago.
"On September 11 1963 not with fear, but at times holding my breath, I enrolled for classes at this institution at the age of 18 as a sophomore/junior."
The desegregation movement at the school began when Treadwell was 16, when she filed a lawsuit to enter the University of South Carolina.
"They knew they were the leaders in the path to ensure access education for all," said USC President Michael Amiridis. "They took bold steps because, again in Dr. Treadwell's optimistic words, they were leading to a future that we hoped for all in our state and in our nation."
And while the monument honors the three students who paved a historic path towards education for all, Treadwell honors the institution.
"It is about an institution that has opened it doors and that continues to build, it has lifted its voice in building and erecting a homestead for all who would come, regardless of race, creed or color.
The new monument can be found near the McKissick museum which is on the historic Horseshoe at the university.