Clara Belle WilliamsThe Silver City Public Library will host a free public showing of the documentary Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education produced by KRWG Public Media on Friday, March 14 at 3:00 PM. Film producer Christian Valle will give introductory remarks and hold a question and answer session after the film.
Members of the KRWG Public Media team will be present to share information about their upcoming initiatives, including efforts to collect more local news from communities like Silver City. There will be light refreshments.
Clara Belle Williams was the first African-American student to graduate from the New Mexico College of Agriculture & Mechanic Arts (what is now New Mexico State University), in 1937. In a 1980 interview, Mrs. Williams recalled that commencement ceremonies were canceled after a group of students refused to walk with her. She received her diploma through the registrar's window. While working on earning her degree, Williams taught at the Booker T. Washington School in Las Cruces for more than 20 years, during a time when Las Cruces's public schools were segregated. She continued to take graduate-level courses well after her graduation.
Born Clara Belle Drisdale in Plum, Texas in 1885, she attended Prairie View Normal and Independent College (now Prairie View A & M University) in Prairie View, Texas beginning in 1903, and was valedictorian of her 1908 graduating class. Clara Belle married Jasper Williams in 1917 had three sons, Jasper, James, and Charles. They impressed upon their sons the importance of education, and all three of them obtained medical degrees. They founded the Williams Clinic in Chicago.
Film producer Christian Valle In 1961, New Mexico State University named Williams Street on the main campus in Clara Belle's honor. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from NMSU in 1980. NMSU held a Clara Belle Williams Day celebration on Sunday, February 13, 2005 and renamed the NMSU English Building as Clara Belle Williams Hall.
For more information about library activities call (575) 538-3672 or email
