Feeling like you have to prove something to someone or yourself weighs one down, but it can also fuel resiliency. During our first “meeting” with the Legacy 3, an oral history interview, the theme of persevering manifested in various forms. All three women mentioned forms of external pressure as a driving force to continue—external pressures in the form of pessimistic counselors, attention from the school newspaper, a predominantly white environment, or racist school administrators. At one point in the interview, these external pressures were referred to as a “burden” that the Legacy 3 had to carry in addition to navigating William & Mary’s rigorous academic life. While the women acknowledged that they were conscious of an extra sense of responsibility—to “represent” other African American scholars—they appeared to openly accept this additional task with a certain ease. Even now, when asked about their status as pioneers, the Legacy 3 almost shrug and respond—“we were just students going to college.” I found their grounded philosophy inspiring and telling of internal resiliency–one that does not require recognition to find meaning. The women preferred not dwell longer than necessary on exclusive circumstances—instead, they visualized discouragement and pressure as reasons to keep moving forward. The hurdles they encountered as both women and the first residential African American students became, in part, an anchor for staying and completing their education. As Karen voiced, their vision was to open William & Mary’s campus to more African American students who could proudly reimagine the African American presence on campus as scholars. I was intrigued with the Legacy 3’s ability to translate what one might conceive as insurmountable barriers into a meaningful internal momentum. I believe that the women have managed to prove themselves without loosing themselves to external influences, which is extremely commendable. They have, in short, reimagined pressure as purpose.
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