On February 3,1956,Autherine Lucy became the first African-American student to attend the University ofAlabama,although the dean of women refused to allow Autherine to live in a university dormitory. White students rioted in protest of her admission,and the federal government had to assume command of the Alabama National Guard in order to protect her.Nonetheless,on her first day in class,Autherine bravely took a seat in the front row. She remembers being surprised that the professor of the class appeared not to notice she was even in class. Later, she would appreciate his seeming indifference, as he was one of only a few professors to speak out in favor of her right to attend the university. For protection,Autherine was taken in and out of classroom buildings by the back door and driven from class to class by an assistant to the university president. The students continued to riot, and one day, the windshield of the car she was in was broken.University officials suspended her, saying it was for her own safety. When her attorney issued a statement in her name protesting her suspension, the university used it as grounds for expelling her for insubordination. Although she never finished her education at the University ofAlabama,Autherine Lucy’s courage was an inspiration to African-American students who followed her lead and desegregated universities all over the United States.When she began classes at the university, Autherine Lucy expected to