Auburn University graduate and Board of Trustees member Elizabeth Huntley presented a talk on her memoir, “More than a Bird,” Friday, Oct. 30, in the Auburn Alumni Center.
The talk centered on the themes of her novel including the challenges she faced growing up and how she overcame those challenges by finding God.
“To be here with you all now, standing in front of alumni is amazing to me,” Huntley said.
At five years old, Huntley’s father was arrested for drug dealing and her mother committed suicide.
“One day my mother came home and divided all five of us up and then dropped us at three separate family members’ houses,” Huntley said. “Then for reasons I didn’t understand she went home and committed suicide.”
Huntley and her sister were sent to live with their grandmother and an uncle who sexually abused Huntley for several years. She spoke of the personal struggles she faced at such a young age and the lessons she learned from her grandmother, one of which was the importance of education.
“My grandmother believed in four things: you mind your elders, you go to church, you stay clean and you get an education,” Huntley said. “So I was so excited to start pre-school.”
Huntley reiterated throughout her presentation the impact one person can have on an individual, even a six-year-old. She also explained why she believed it was important that other minorities hear her story and understand that they too can overcome racial barriers and stereotypes.
“First grade was the first time I truly interacted with white people,” Huntley said. “I remember thinking of my teacher as ‘Wonder Woman’ and hoping she could save me. The first day of school I told her what my grandmother told me to tell her and she said, ‘Elizabeth Huntley, you are going to be the brightest student I’ve ever had.’”
Huntley credited the love and success she found throughout her life to all the teachers she had and to the “family atmosphere” of Auburn University.
“I came to Auburn looking for a place where I didn’t have to apologize for who I am or be ashamed of who I am,” Huntley said. “I came here with nothing and left with a family.”
Huntley is now a practicing attorney at Lightfoot Franklin White LLC trial and appellate council in Birmingham, a member of the Board of Trustees at Auburn University and a member of various other diversity and education councils.
Nicole Moore, junior in marketing, said she enjoyed Huntley’s presentation because she shares the same family sentiments about Auburn University.
“I really liked her openness and her willingness to share tough parts of her life,” Moore said. “We need more people like that in the world.”
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