By. Lydia Hendrieth 11/18/22
1896, the nineteenth century was a period of economic growth. At the time “Ballooning” was a very popular attraction, ten years before, the first “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” Was patented and the University of Montevallo was founded. October 12, 1896, UM was the only liberal arts school in Alabama.
1919 and 1923 the university was known to be “A college for Women” and “Alabama college, state college for Women”. Over the years the university kept developing, enrolling the first male students in 1956 and adding more programs, buildings, students, and faculty. By 1979 there was a total of 16 buildings on campus. The 70s was a century of inclusivity and women made the woman’s rights movement more prominent in society. Having an education as a woman was extremely important. Fannie Mae Hendrieth, attended Montevallo from 1977 to 1979, studying the English master’s program.
Fannie previously completed her bachelor’s degree at Alabama State College in Montgomery, Alabama, now known as Alabama State University. Accomplishing a master’s was her ultimate goal, and no matter the circumstances it would be achieved, “it was always something I wanted to do” she says. Starting on a National Science Scholarship, Fannie attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for 2 summers in North Carolina Mastering Biology. After some consideration and self-discovery, Fannie chose to go back in the direction of English, finding a new program wasn’t hard, “I wanted a specific degree in English not just education”, with Montevallo offering the program she needed the decision was easy.
Not alone in the journey Fannie attended Montevallo with her husband Fredrick Hendrieth, as adjunct students both in the education industry at the time, Fannie was an English teacher her husband was also an educator and principal in Orville, Alabama while living in Selma, Alabama. “We got off work and drove to Montevallo”. 3 days a week they would leave around 4 P.M and not return until about 10 p.m., “It was a long drive, you were sleepy going up and down the highways”. With a full-day schedule and her nights booked up, Fannie also had to make time to be a mother to her 4 children. “I had a babysitter,” she says, Miss. Pearl was her babysitter on the nights she couldn’t be there and stepped in as a great help.
Montevallo has always been an environment of inclusivity and acceptance, during her time here Fannie states “I was the only black person in my class”. Even as a minority in the college community during the growing parts of the 70s she says “I Didn’t experience any negativity or problems”. “I remember being invited to all the study groups, and having a great experience.” Fannie enjoyed all of her classes and Night inductors, John B. Lott, Ph.D., Chmn, Norman McMillian, Ph.D., and Sidney J. Vance, Ph.D. Were the ones who taught Mrs. Hendrieth, she remembers, “The teachers were creative and encouraging”.
In August of 1979, Mrs. Hendrieth graduated. There was so much gratitude towards her accomplishment, “It was a beautiful experience to hear my name called”. Being a woman, balancing heavy responsibilities, working, and not losing sight of your dream is more than one full-time job “I stuck it out until the end” she says, after graduation she went on to be a teacher and adjunct night college professor for 30 years. Now retired she expresses the urge to be educated and a profound member of society, “I would tell anybody to go to Montevallo, the atmosphere was great”.
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