It has been almost two months since The Crimson White published the story of the late Mrs. Emma Henderson. In that story, using detailed documents from the 1960s and the words of two of her children, the CW described Mrs. Henderson’s work as an instructor with the University’s Head Start program. The documents appear to show that Henderson was the first black faculty member at the University.

In the time since the piece’s publication, the documents were sent to the University in order to attain recognition for Mrs. Henderson. The CW also provided Henderson’s social security number for verification. However, the University needs the year when she finished working for the University in order to find the necessary personnel information regarding her employment.

Reagan Henderson, Mrs. Henderson’s youngest child, said he was not shocked that the University has not yet recognized his mother. He described the University’s actions after the story’s publication as a “bobbing and weaving technique” that is ultimately senseless because one of the letters provided to The Crimson White details his mother being hired to work for the Head Start Program.

“I was a little disappointed but I wasn’t totally shocked… I would basically say that the letter itself shows the validity that this is true. This is not a figment of my mother’s imagination or my imagination,” he said.

Since no substantial action has been taken regarding recognition for his mother, Henderson said he is exploring all of his options. He said he has reached out to someone with connections to The New York Times.

Henderson also said he hopes one day the University will recognize his mother.

“I hope for their sake, because the University has had so much negative publicity in history for these type of things that they would go ahead and step on up and do the right thing.

Henderson detailed stories of his family’s past, discussing a letter his father received from former Alabama Governor James Folsom and his mother’s work with the University. He said all of the stories may “make a good book” someday.

The Crimson White reached out to the University for comment but none was given by press time.