Sarah Healy, UA’s dean of women from 1954-1971, was instrumental in protecting Autherine Lucy, who in 1956 became the first African-American student admitted to UA, from the threat of violence by mobs of angry students. She provided her own car to escort Lucy on campus in an attempt to shield her from physical harm during Lucy’s brief time at the University. Several years later, Healy also played an important role in the successful desegregation of UA, facilitating the enrollment of Vivian Malone and James Hood. She offered unwavering support to Malone during her course of study at the University.

Healy died in Jan. 18, 1999.