'Who Is Bettye Frink?': The Billboards and the Secretary of State Who Changed Alabama Politics, 1958-1962

• Published in: The Alabama review Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 234 - 257
• Main Author: Wilson, Laura Merrifield
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Montgomery The University of Alabama Press 01.07.2018; Alabama Historical Association
• Subjects: Archives & records; Billboards; Biography; Black Power movement; Cabinet officials (U.S. state governments); Frink, Bettye; Legislatures; Political advertising; Political aspects; Political parties; Politics; Radio; Women; United States; New York; United States > US; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; Chicago Illinois; Alabama; South Carolina; Baltimore Maryland
• ISSN: 0002-4341; 2166-9961; 2166-9961
• DOI: 10.1353/ala.2018.0022

[...]the mysterious billboards were not Bettye's idea, as some suggested, but were funded by a wellknown businessman who operated WLPH, an all-gospel radio station, and who had himself run unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in a previous election.7 His name was William "Bill" Frink, Sr., and in addition to his professional accolades, he was Bettye's husband.8 Frink was, perhaps, an unlikely choice for statewide office. Some, like Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, and South Carolina, have never elected a woman as secretary of state. [...]while women were scarce in the legislative branch, they dominated an entire segment of the executive branch, virtually controlling the offices of secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and public service commissioner for nearly thirty years. According to the state's formal complaint, the NAACP failed to file the necessary paperwork as an "out-of-state corporation" while organizing in the state.52 Underlying this administrative action was the brewing Montgomery Bus Boycott, incited by the Rosa Parks's refusal to comply with the city's segregated seating in December 1955 and still going strong into 1956.53 Far from a single instance igniting friction, the Montgomery Bus Boycott lit a fire long overdue. Under his prerogative as governor, John Patterson interpreted state laws about incorporation to extend to both community and non-profit ventures, an interpretation that, interestingly enough, seemed to apply exclusively to the NAACP case. [...]when his office's investigation showed that the NAACP failed to register the paperwork or pay the accompanying fee, he deemed their state office in Birmingham to be illegal.