Thelma Williams witnessed Grambling history throughout her life
By: Whitney Shannon
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Features
Students, when you hear about Grambling State University, most of the time, you hear about the band, the Orchesis and the football team. But you never really hear things about the people that made it somewhat possible for the things we have now.
Do we all know our Grambling State University? Do we know some of the people who paved the way for us? Maybe we don't, but there is so much to learn. Though I don't know it all, I do know a little. I met a beautiful lady by the name of Mrs. Thelma Williams. She was one the nicest lady you could ever meet.
When I got word that I had to interview her, just the thought of it scared me. I thought I would never be intelligent enough to talk with history. I was very nervous, because I don't know my GSU history, but it doesn't hurt to learn.
When I pulled up to her house and stepped out of the car, Mrs. Williams greeted me with the biggest smile. At that moment, I felt right at home.
I had never met her before and was very interested in getting to know Mrs. Williams. In talking with her, I found that she has and still plays a huge role in Grambling State University.
Mrs. Thelma Williams arrived in Grambling on Oct. 1, 1956. As soon as she stepped off the trains, she said, it was extremely hot.
"I came in from West Virginia where it was very cold. When I stepped foot in Grambling, it was 86 degrees," she said.
Mrs. Williams said she didn't know where she was at first. "I thought I was coming to cowboy town," she says while laughing. "But once I started to meet people, I felt very comfortable. It was truly a family here."
"I was very fascinated with the students here at the university. They were so nice."
She was very involved with activities that took place on campus. In watching Coach Eddie Robinson practice with the male athletes, she noticed that they were having trouble with pivoting their feet, so she decided that it would be a great idea to have them take modern dance classes.
Do we all know our Grambling State University? Do we know some of the people who paved the way for us? Maybe we don't, but there is so much to learn. Though I don't know it all, I do know a little. I met a beautiful lady by the name of Mrs. Thelma Williams. She was one the nicest lady you could ever meet.
When I got word that I had to interview her, just the thought of it scared me. I thought I would never be intelligent enough to talk with history. I was very nervous, because I don't know my GSU history, but it doesn't hurt to learn.
When I pulled up to her house and stepped out of the car, Mrs. Williams greeted me with the biggest smile. At that moment, I felt right at home.
I had never met her before and was very interested in getting to know Mrs. Williams. In talking with her, I found that she has and still plays a huge role in Grambling State University.
Mrs. Thelma Williams arrived in Grambling on Oct. 1, 1956. As soon as she stepped off the trains, she said, it was extremely hot.
"I came in from West Virginia where it was very cold. When I stepped foot in Grambling, it was 86 degrees," she said.
Mrs. Williams said she didn't know where she was at first. "I thought I was coming to cowboy town," she says while laughing. "But once I started to meet people, I felt very comfortable. It was truly a family here."
"I was very fascinated with the students here at the university. They were so nice."
She was very involved with activities that took place on campus. In watching Coach Eddie Robinson practice with the male athletes, she noticed that they were having trouble with pivoting their feet, so she decided that it would be a great idea to have them take modern dance classes.
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