By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on March 23, 2025
An Editorial Opinion
I have often told the story about the early years of my legal career when many judges and court clerks in Alabama addressed me in open court as the “nigger lawyer from Montgomery,” rather than “Mr. Watkins” or “Counselor.” This dehumanizing experience happened to me quite often in the 1970s, particularly in small, rural counties where everybody working in the courthouse was white (except for the janitors and maids).
Now is the time to share stories on the flip side of that coin. I will start with the remarkable story of Mary Griffin Auburtin of Marion, Alabama.
Unexpected Decency in the Perry County Court Clerk's Office
When we met, Mary Griffin Auburtin was the Circuit Court Clerk for Perry County, Alabama, which is located in state’s Black Belt region. At the time, I was a part-time, Montgomery-based city attorney for Uniontown, Alabama. The year was 1974.
Upon entering the Clerk’s office for the first time, I expected the usual demeaning, disrespectful, and unhelpful conduct in filing my court papers. I was also prepared for the usual racial insults. None of that happened.
The person who helped me that day was Mary Griffin Auburtin. She was a 50-year-old white woman who was cheerful, friendly, professional, and very helpful. She introduced me to her small office staff and all of them were warm and friendly, as well.
Auburtin handled my filings and then gave me a tour of the courthouse. Inside the courtroom, Auburtin took the time to give me a private profile on each one of the judges in her judicial circuit.
Auburtin called me “Mr. Watkins” the entire time, even though I was half her age. I called her “Ms. Auburtin.” She also told me to call her if I ever needed any information or help with my cases. Her offer was sincere and deeply appreciated.
When I left the courthouse, I was overwhelmed by Mary Griffin Auburtin’s kindness and respect for my humanity, which was a rare experience for black lawyers in Alabama courthouses during the 1970s. Over the years, the mutual respect Auburtin and I had for each other grew.
Auburtin, who had been the Circuit Court Clerk since 1963, handled all administrative matters for the traveling judges in the Perry County Division of her judicial circuit. She scheduled jury and non-jury trials, set hearings on motions, and readied orders for the judges’ signatures. She was super-smart, extremely professional, and business savvy.
Auburtin’s father, J.C. Griffin, had been elected Sheriff of Perry County three times and served as Probate Judge twice.
Auburtin’s Commitment to Judicial Fairness
From our first meeting in 1974 until her retirement in 1989, Auburtin discharged her Clerk’s duties in a fashion that minimized my exposure to the most racist judge in her judicial circuit, whom she despised. She also explained to me how local white lawyers would bribe a particular judge by deliberately allowing him to win every round of their weekly poker games at the local country club during the weekends before the scheduled docket call on the following Monday.
Auburtin did what she could to shield me from the adverse effects of these two negative factors when she scheduled my court cases, motion hearings, and trials. With Auburtin leveling the playing field, I was able to use my trial skills to win all 36 of my cases in the Perry County Circuit Court during my 21 years in that court system. Auburtin's fairness as a court clerk contributed significantly to my 217-8 overall win-loss record in trials during my 46-year legal career.
By October 1985, Auburtin’s Clerk’s office was known throughout the state for its “neighborly” and efficient services. She was featured in Alabama Court News for this citizen-friendly achievement.
A Warrior for the Equal Rights Amendment
Over the course of our professional friendship, I learned that Mary Griffin Auburtin was a social justice warrior. In the 1970s, she campaigned in Alabama and around the nation for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). She also worked hard to advance the fair administration of justice for all litigants in her courthouse.
Auburtin described her advocacy work for women’s equality in an insightful November 21, 1977 interview for the 1977 International Women’s Year Oral History Collection.
Mary Griffin Auburtin first became interested in women’s issues in 1965. Auburtin served as a president of her local chapter of the Alabama Federation of Business and Professional Women Clubs. She was also president of the Alabama Coalition of Citizens for ERA. By 1977, Auburtin was Legislative Chairwoman for the National Federation of Business and Professional Women Clubs.
Epilogue
Mary Griffin Auburtin was a kind, caring, civic-minded, and wonderful human being. I will never forget how Auburtin made me feel when she looked me in the eyes, called me “Mr. Watkins,” and shook my hand the first time we met. With those simple gestures, Auburtin willingly and cheerfully embraced my humanity.
Throughout our time together, Mary Griffin Auburtin did everything within her power as a court clerk and decent human being to block for me on the playing field of life, while asking for nothing in return. She had courage when courage counted. She was one of the great ones!
Mary Griffin Auburtin died on April 17, 2013, at Southland Nursing Home in Marion, Alabama at the age of 88. To this day, I strive to live my life in a way that makes her proud.
We must NEVER forget those who recognized our humanity while their leaders were busy demeaning, devaluing, and disrespecting us. This is particularly true in today's political environment. The disciples of hatred will always challenge the practitioners of agape love. Because we are created as loving human beings birth, agape love always wins in the end.
You can never find the good in a person if your heart is full of hatred.