Clara Belle Williams (October 29th, 1885 - July 3rd, 1993) was the first African American graduate of New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now New Mexico State University). She later became an educator.
Many of her professors would not allow her inside the classroom. She had to take notes from the hallway. She was also not allowed to walk with her class to receive her diploma.
She married Jasper Williams in 1917 and raised three sons, all who became physicians.
Williams taught at Lincoln High School, which opened in an A.M.E. church in Las Cruces after the institution of segregation removed African American students from integrated Las Cruces schools in the 1920's when state law allowed districts to segregate.
Williams was inducted into the National Education Association teachers' hall of fame in 1977, and in 1980, Williams was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws degree by New Mexico State University, which also apologized for the treatment Williams was subjected to as a student.
