Jeraldine Williams-Shaw, Esq., Class of ’67

In this first Black UF Alumni spotlight, the ABA proudly introduces to some and presents to others, the story of Ms. Jeraldine Williams-Shaw, Esq. After living through tough experiences of early integration at the University of Florida, Jeraldine was inducted into the UF Hall of Fame in 1988. We now celebrate her as an accomplished attorney and publisher. Jeraldine’s influence has made her one of the most impactful women in UF history and in the Gainesville community. In this spotlight, she shares her heartfelt story and we share in her hope for continued progress at our UF. If you have a story to share for the next spotlight, please contact us.

As a young teenager living in the early 1960s, I can recall the country’s integration process of Black Americans into the public school system and other educational institutions. Students were inspired to protest by way of sit-ins and marches that eventually lead to many arrests and beatings by officers in response. In an attempt to avoid the possible violence that UF students faced for protesting, I decided to assist the NAACP by walking through doors that my schoolmates were opening with protests and demonstrations.

It was the collective efforts of the protestors, allies, and other activists that would grant me and other students access into the University of Florida’s “hallowed halls of segregated academia.” During this time, students all over the country were facing difficulties as integration persisted. People were killed in Mississippi for trying to integrate Ole Miss and the Alabama governor at the time declared that there would be no integration in the state’s schools. There were reports of officers forcibly removing Black students from school property because they advocated for the integration of schools and other public spaces.

With rampant physical abuse of Black people who were attempting to integrate — officers going as far as pouring acid into pools Black people swam in — many students lived in fear and uncertainty as to what could happen to them. Being one of the 14 black students at UF during this time, I remember incidents of white men using black babies as “gator bait” for the Florida reptiles. We don’t often talk about this, but they published pictures of this dastardly act on postcards and on hand-held fans. Consequently, Black students avoided walking by the pond on campus where the gator was kept.

All of these experiences are important context to understand as we determine how to make real progress and move forward. I am honored to be part of UF history and share my Black Alumni story to help realize an even brighter future for our Gator Nation. Thank you.

Reminder: If you have a Black UF Alumni story to share with us, please send it to ufabacommunications@gmail.com or click here to nominate someone!