Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Trailblazer Nancy Randolph Davis’ legacy lives on By Ryleigh Clem
Adam Luther
February is nationally recognized as Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black voices and remember how they have shaped history. In 1949, Nancy Randolph Davis made history when she became the first AfricanAmerican student admitted to OSU, formerly Oklahoma A&M College. Davis had just obtained her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Langston University, and she sought to continue her education in her home state. At the time, it was almost unheard of for a person of color to attend a nonBlack university. Davis was encouraged by a recent Supreme Court case, which allowed Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher to pursue a law degree at the University of Oklahoma. This court decision gave Davis the push she needed to seek her master’s degree. “It was not boldness on my part, and it was a struggle, but I was never afraid. God used me as a vessel at that time, and it is so worth it to know my granddaughter and others can choose to go anywhere,” said Davis. After being admitted to
the school, Davis was not permitted inside the classroom. She had to sit outside until enough students requested she be allowed in. Davis grew up with her parents and four siblings. Her father was the one who encouraged her to continue her education at Oklahoma A&M. He was no stranger to racial injustice, and he had the desire for each of his children to make the most of the opportunities given to them. After graduating from Oklahoma A&M in 1952, Davis taught school for 43 years — 20 at Dunjee High School and 23 at Star Spencer High School. She married Fred C. Davis, who was also an educator. Davis has always been a promoter of social justice, taking an active part in the Civil Rights Movement in Oklahoma. She would take her daughter picketing with her, much to the dismay of some of her friends. She also served as an adviser for the Oklahoma City NAACP. Davis never shied away from taking a stand, especially in the name of progression. Davis’s life continues to See Trailblazer on pg. 2
Beating the Bears OSU has its toughest challenge saved for last By Sam Hutchens Breaking a record isn’t supposed to be easy, but for the Cowgirls, it cannot get much harder. Oklahoma State will have one more chance on Wednesday to extend its singleseason conference win record — this time to 14. That opportunity comes on the road against No. 7 Baylor. “Baylor is going to win it’s umpteenth conference championship in a row,” coach Jim Littell said. “They are a daunting challenge, as they are every year.” Road teams have not fared well in Waco this season. Baylor is 9-1 when playing at home, with its one de-
feat coming by a mere four points at the hands of Iowa State. Junior point guard Ja’mee Asberry said defeating Baylor in Waco, which has outscored its opponents by over 23 points per game in the last eight games, is the hardest thing a Big 12 team can do. “I really applaud Iowa State that they did it,” Asberry said. Baylor beat OSU 77-58 earlier this season in Stillwater. The rematch in OSU’s final regular season game will be difficult, but there is hope for the Cowgirls. Although Littell has only beaten Baylor once in his 10 seasons as the OSU head coach, no team in Cowgirl history has even won more conference games than this current group. The Cowgirls have won eight of their last nine games — includ-
ing one against the same Cyclone team that felled Baylor — and have had the back half of the season to build team continuity. “We know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, which really helps a lot,” senior forward Natasha Mack said. “The chemistry is there.” Littell said after OSU beat ISU on Saturday that his team had grown a lot, and that the victory, which gave their 13th conference win was “as big of a win as we’ve gotten in here in a long, long time.” Even though there might never be a great time to take on the green and gold juggernaut that Baylor coach Kim Mulkey has assembled, the Cowgirls are playing excellent basketball. For the team that has already broken records, a win in Waco would be an excellent
Bruce Waterfield Natasha Mack is fouled on a shot attempt during Oklahoma State’s game vs Baylor on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
end to their regular season. “That would be great win for us,”
Mack said. “We would be ecstatic.” sports.ed@ocolly.com