Delores Johnson Hurt ‘68

As Black History Month comes to a close, the Alumni Association has been highlighting the contributions of African-American alumni all month on social media. Another special recognition goes to one of Winthrop's early trailblazers, Delores Johnson Hurt ‘68.

Hurt – one of four women pioneers who integrated Winthrop in 1964 – continues to give back to the university. She recently provided a boost to the Roddey, Johnson, Gladden, Meriwether Endowed Scholarship, established by donors in 2014 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of integration at Winthrop. The scholarship endowment has exceeded $33,000 and provides an award of over $1,200 annually to deserving Winthrop students. 

The scholarship honors the four women who became the first black students at Winthrop: Cynthia Plair Roddey '67, the first African-American student to register and begin classes; Delores Johnson Hurt '68 and Arnetta Gladden '67, who became the first two of three African-American undergraduate applicants admitted to enroll for classes; and Sue Frances Meriwether Steed '67, who became the first African-American student to receive a degree from Winthrop.

"To have Winthrop institute a scholarship in the names of those of us who integrated Winthrop in the 1960s was an honor.  An NAACP Legal Defense Fund scholarship introduced my parents and me to Winthrop and led to our joining the civil rights movement to desegregate public colleges and universities in the South," Hurt said. "That scholarship paid much of my expenses at Winthrop. I am happy to contribute to the Roddey, Johnson, Gladden, Meriwether Scholarship to help those who need a hand up."

Hurt, who is an entrepreneur and president of the League of Women Voters Charlotte Mecklenburg, is also a former journalist and educator. She was inducted in 2011 into the Women's History Hall of Fame at the Levine Museum of the New South.

As a student at Winthrop, Hurt was a marshal, vice-president of the school's Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and was named to Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, along with other honors.

In 2017, Hurt and the three other Winthrop trailblazers were each recipients of the Alumni Distinguished Service Award for their contributions to Winthrop and in their own respective communities. Next month, they will be presented with a General Assembly resolution from the South Carolina legislature for their pioneering efforts.

The Roddey, Johnson, Gladden, Meriwether Endowed Scholarship supports Winthrop students who have financial need; are South Carolina residents; exhibit academic achievement and leadership on or beyond campus; and are of sophomore, junior, or senior standing, or enrolled in graduate level coursework. First preference is given to minority students. 

For more information on how you can support this scholarship, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 800/801-1083 or giving@winthrop.edu.