Cheryl Seabrook Ajirotutu ’69

Tech was a highly integrated and diverse campus. I am aware that race was of growing importance¬– demonstrations were occurring across the country and it influenced our thoughts about life and who we became. Diversity was my strength; I enjoyed the different people I went to school with and looked for it everywhere throughout my life. We [my group of girlfriends] called ourselves the “heater gang” because we hung out at the heater by the school entrance to check everyone out… I was student body president, part of school politics and also part of the city’s growing issues; e.g. Black Panthers, boycotting grapes. My class demonstrated for open campus and for girls to wear pants to school– we succeeded. I learned public speaking from student rallies.