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IU Unveils Portrait To Honor First Female African American Student

Indiana University honored its first female African-American student with a portrait unveiled Monday. Carrie Parker Taylor attended IU in 1898.

IU chose Alumna Ashley Smith as the artist for Taylor's portrait. Smith says it was important to tell Taylor's story.

"She means a lot because I'm the first person to graduate in my family, and because of that I was able to connect with her story and was really inspired to put myself, even, in this," Smith says.

The portrait will hang at the Memorial Union on the IU Bloomington campus.

Taylor's son Leon attended the dedication ceremony. He turns 101 in April.

IU offers a scholarship in Taylor's honor, with priority given to first-generation college students.

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