African American in Mathematics: Gloria Ford Gilmer

               Last week’s article covered Benjamin Banneker, an African American mathematician who lived in the 18^th century and worked with Thomas Jefferson on scientific and social issues. Much has happened in America since then, but African Americans are still greatly under represented in the field of mathematics. Gloria Ford Gilmer’s passion for math surpasses the disadvantages of being a woman of color in the field, and has contributed a whole lot to mathematics as a student and as a teacher.

Gloria Ford Gilmer in 1999.

           Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Gloria attended Morgan State University in the 1950’s, where she studied under Clarence Stephens, a prolific African American Mathematician. Her love for math was deeper than simply attaining a PhD, and she published two papers alongside Clarence as an undergraduate on the subject of Eigen function series. Her achievement drove her to become the first African American woman without a PhD to publish a math paper. Gloria went on to earn a BS from Morgan University and an MA from the University of Pennsylvania; she would go on to earn a PhD in curriculum and instruction, but first took a break from her studies to teach and care for her family.

            Before she gained a PhD, Gloria taught at six different historically black universities and became an inspiration to many minorities and women through teaching, all while her personal life bloomed with a marriage and children.  For two years in the beginning of the 1980’s Gloria represented African American Women on the board of the Mathematical Association of America, and was the first woman of color to do so.

            In 1985, Gloria co-founded and became the president of the International Study Group of Ethnomathematics, and was leading the field of ethno mathematics, the study of mathematical structures in certain cultures. Gloria has worked in the field to bring the rich complexity of mathematics and African American culture together, and provided a platform that reaches a wide variety of people due to its interesting mathematical nature.

-->

Photo from Gilmer's 1998 paper, Mathematical Patterns in African American Hairstyles.

            Gloria's work continues to be an inspiration to many people thanks to her drive and love for mathematics, not to mention her great accomplishments in and for the world of under represented groups in mathematics.


Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Ford_Gilmer
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/PEEPS/gilmer_gloria.html
https://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/gilmer.htm
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/special/gilmer-gloria_HAIRSTYLES.html

African Americans In Mathematics: Benjamin Banneker

                 Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) of Baltimore County, Maryland was born a free man, but with plenty of familiarity to the brutality of slavery that was present at the time. Benjamin’s father, Robert, was a freed slave, and his mother, Mary, had parents who were both freed slaves. Mary’s mother, Benjamin’s grandmother, taught Benjamin to read at a young age and even pushed for Benjamin to be enrolled in a Quaker school. Benjamin’s school career did not last long, but his curiosity about mathematics was carried with him his whole life, a curiosity that would cause a great flow of scientific accomplishments.

Benjamin Banneker

          When Benjamin entered his twenties his passion for the sciences (ranging from mechanical engineering to astronomy) was bubbling. At this time, he had built a full sized grandfather clock modeled after a pocket watch, and was studying the cycles of eclipses. Benjamin continued to use his mathematical mind to create great things until his 40’s; by then, he built irrigation systems for his family farm, grain mills, and began to research bees and locusts. In 1772, the Ellicotts moved to a farm very close to the Banneker’s. The Ellicotts were Quakers; a faith that held that all races were equal and should be treated as such, and quickly noticed the brilliance of Benjamin Banneker.

            The Banneker family loaned many books to Benjamin, and encouraged him to begin calculating the exact times of eclipses to take place in the future. They also exchanged scientific research on surveying and much more. In 1791, Major Andrew Ellicott was asked to survey the land of Western New York by then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Andrew suggested Benjamin as a more capable candidate for the position, and so began Benjamin’s rich correspondence with Thomas Jefferson.

            Benjamin became fairly close to Thomas, and wrote frequently about national issues and personal happenings. Benjamin quietly suggested that Thomas should do what he could to promote racial equality from his position in government. Some of these letters, along with scientific research, plans for cities, and personal commentaries were published in Benjamin’s Almanacs. The series of six annual almanacs were printed in the consecutive years leading up to the end of his life, and was the pinnacle of his scientific career.

The cover of Benjamin's 1795 Almanac

           

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Banneker#Mythology_and_legacy

http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-banneker-9198038#early-years

Images

http://johnhopebryant.com/2012/02/black-facts-in-history-benjamin-banneker.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2h68b.html

Black History Month

The Center of Math celebrates Black History Month by emphasizing African American scientists and mathematicians that excelled in their respective fields. In commemoration, we created an infographic that highlights important mathematical achievements and also features several individuals highly regarded in STEM. More information is located below the infographic, where we elaborated on biographies of selected mathematicians.

Click here for a closer look at the infographic!

Jesse Ernest Wilkins (1923-2011)          

Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr, a mathematics prodigy, was named the ‘negro genius’ by the media and quickly made huge advancements in the fields of math, mechanical engineering, nuclear science, and optics. He became the youngest student to enter the University of Chicago, at only 13. During World War II, Wilkins worked on the Manhattan Project and later authored several journals.

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)

Banneker had close to no formal education and was largely self taught. He is most famously known for his contributions to a group led by Major Andrew Ellicott that surveyed the borders of the original District of Columbia. He referenced Thomas Jefferson on the topics of slavery and racial equality. Banneker’s understanding of astronomy inspired several contributions to series of almanacs.

David Blackwell (1919-2010)

Blackwell was the first African American to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences and to secure a permanent position at the University of California at Berkeley in 1954. He is known as perhaps the greatest African American mathematician of his time.

Charles L. Reason (1818-1893)

Charles L. Reason greatest achievements were centered on improving the education system for African Americans. He founded the Society for the Promotion of Education among Colored Children. He then worked as a professor of mathematics, Greek, and Latin at New York Central College – becoming the first African American to teach at a predominately white university. Later, he went on to found the Quaker Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia, and successfully led efforts to desegregate New York Schools.

Gloria Ford Gilmer (1956-Present)

Gilmer earned a B.S. in mathematics from both Morgan State University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In her lifetime she taught at six different HBCUs - historically black colleges and universities. Soon after receiving a Ph.D, she became the first Black female on the board of governors of the Mathematical Association of America (1980-82). She later served as a Research associate with the U.S. Department of Education and was the first women to give the National Association of Mathematician’s Cox-Talbot Address.

William Schieffelin Claytor (1908-1967)

Claytor earned his A.B. and M.A. from Howard university and later his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania - the third African American to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics. He was also the third African American to publish mathematics research. Soon after in 1937, he received a Rosenwald Fellowship and preceded to post-doctoral studies, working specifically with an experienced group of topologists.

Martha Euphemia Lofton Haynes (1890-1980)

Commemorated as the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D in mathematics, Haynes played a critical role in establishing an educational community for African Americans. After receiving a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, she went on to receive her doctorate. She spent over 47 years teaching mathematics in public schools, and was the first woman to chair the Washington D.C School Board.