Malone-Hood Plaza

Malone-Hood Plaza is a significant historical site located on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The plaza is situated outside Foster Auditorium, which was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2005. The plaza was dedicated in 2010 to commemorate the events of June 11, 1963, known as the "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door," and to honor the legacy of Autherine Lucy Foster, Vivian Malone Jones, and James Hood.

The centerpiece of Malone-Hood Plaza is the Autherine Lucy Clock Tower, a 40-foot brick structure that serves as a powerful symbol of the civil rights movement and the integration of the University of Alabama. The plaza and clock tower were designed to recognize the courage and values of those who bore the burden of the struggle for civil rights and equal access to education.

The site is particularly noteworthy for its connection to the 1963 incident when Alabama Governor George Wallace attempted to block the enrollment of two Black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, at the university. This event, which drew national attention, became a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

Today, Malone-Hood Plaza serves as a place of reflection and education, reminding visitors of the importance of civil rights and the progress made in desegregating higher education in the United States. The plaza is an integral part of the University of Alabama campus and is often included in tours and visits to the university.