Saranna Tucker Rankin and James D. Rankin, Jr. interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, 2024

Creator:

Rankin, Saranna Tucker, Rankin, James D., Jr., 1947-, Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-, and Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-

Extent:

5.6 Gigabytes 1 digital file and 01:13:57 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)

Scope and content:

Records an interview with Saranna Tucker Rankin and James D. Rankin, Jr., who recount their childhoods and primary and secondary education in segregated and newly integrating school systems in Virginia, including experiences in Hampton and Shenandoah County. The interview documents their decisions to pursue higher education and enrollment at Madison College, describing academic experiences in the social work program, financial considerations, and patterns of commuting and residence. Discusses campus life during early coeducation and desegregation, including interaction with campus dining and social spaces, participation in intramural sports, and involvement in early Black student social networks. Recounts participation in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and outreach activities, as well as interactions with faculty and administrators. Addresses perceptions of campus climate, student protests, and the broader context of social change in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the Vietnam War and civil rights activism. Additional topics include social relationships and post-college transitions. The interview was held in Wilson Hall at James Madison University.

Language:

English

Biographical / historical:

Saranna Tucker Rankin is a licensed clinical social worker and community figure connected with early Black student life at Madison College (now James Madison University). Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she spent part of her childhood in New York before returning to Hampton, Virginia, where in 1965 she was among the students who integrated Hampton High School. Encouraged by a Black high school guidance counselor, she enrolled at Madison College in fall 1968 to study social work, joining the first cohort of Black students at the institution. In 1971, Rankin co-founded the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapter at Madison College, the first Black Greek-letter organization on campus.

James Rankin, Jr. is a retired juvenile justice professional and the second Black (first male) graduate of Madison College (now James Madison University). Born and raised in New Market, Virginia, he attended segregated schools in Shenandoah County, briefly studied at the Lucy F. Simms School in Harrisonburg, and graduated from the newly integrated Stonewall Jackson High School in 1967. He then enrolled at Blue Ridge Community College, becoming the first Black student both to attend and to earn an associate's degree there, before transferring in 1969 to Madison College, where he studied social work and graduated in 1971; while there, he met his wife, Saranna Tucker. Rankin began his career in Prince William County, Virginia, as a juvenile probation officer, earned a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1980, was promoted to assistant director in 1982, and in 1992 became Director of the 31st District Court Service Unit, supervising more than 55 employees.

Physical facet:

(.mov)

Dimensions:

1920 x 1080

Names:

Rankin, Saranna Tucker
Rankin, James D., Jr., 1947-
Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-

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