1 Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser Leasa Robinson Florida Technology of Institute Psych 3344 September, 29, 2016 Professor Lisa S Moore 2 Who was the first African American Female Psychologist? The first African American Female Psychologist was Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser. During the year of 1933, African Americans endured a not so easy time period. Based on the finding of Derick Aldridge during the 1900’s W. E. B Debois used the scientific approach to help white individuals understand the point of views of black individuals. He hoped that by utilizing research to white individuals would assist in reducing ignorance as well as discrimination against black people (Aldridge, 1999). Although times of racism decreased in regards to segregation issues, problems still existed. According to the information shared by Derrick Aldridge, research was conducted regarding African American differences in education. The article states that within the early years of the 21st century, African American individuals lacked comprehensive, constancy, emancipatory and culture. Debois expressed that in order to solve what was known as the “negro problem”, to improve the conditions of society, education should be utilized in sociopolitical of African American’s viewpoints. After completing 10 studies, Debois continued to defend his studies and views towards others and advocated training and knowledge in liberal as well as classical education (Aldridge, D, 1999). Why was Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser a topic of interest for this paper? Motivation is a factor that not every individual withholds. In order for Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser to accomplish any of the achievements that she did without having an ample amount of motivation. An admiration of the amount of motivation Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser had was more than enough reason for me to write about her contributions towards psychology. Other reasons on why I chose to write about Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser consisted of how fearless she seemed. In order for the educator to achieve her goals in an education career during such a hostile environment required bravery. Sometimes it is quite difficult for individuals to achieve any goals that they may have if 3 situations are not easy, or if obstacles are placed. What do educational Psychologists do? Psychologists are well trained individuals who study as well as evaluate mental behavior. This requires several different learning methods in order to grasp the information of psychology. The degree of psychology is not an easy degree to obtain. Imagine if psychology is a difficult degree to pursue in today’s society due to it consisting of many different theories, how difficult it may be to pursue a career during a time of unfortunate racism (Lewin, 1988). In the article, “ Inez Beverly Prosser and the education of African American”, describes how Prosser was born in year 1897 in Yoakum, Texas, a small town. She had eleven siblings and was the oldest daughter out of all of them. Her parents’ names were Samuel Andrew Beverly and Veola Hamilton. Prosser’s father Samuel Beverly was a waiter, and her mother Veola was a homemaker. The Beverly family moved from San Marcos to Yoakum in the 1900’s possibly for better education opportunities for the children. Education was known to not be very good in the South during the 1900’s (Benjamin, Jr, 2008). Prosser grew up in a time where most African Americans worked as laborers for white individuals. The white owners of jobs usually preferred for African Americans to be illiterate and preferred for them to not have any education whatsoever. At the time it was thought that the best African American laborers focus solely on work for white individuals and not receiving an education. It was also apparent based on the readings that the during Prosser’s early education life that schools were constantly burned down by Ku Klux Klan. They also made threats to teachers that had African American students within the classroom. Thankfully, some white individuals assisted with the offering land for classrooms to be built on in order for black students would still be able to pursue grade school (Benjamin, Jr, 2005). 4 Based on Ludy Benjamin’s findings, Prosser was known as a good student in high school and completed her education at Prairie view Normal School and Industrial College. The name of this college represents as a reflection in the growth in training teachers for black schools. Inez Beverly completed a two-year teaching certificate program in year 1912, graduating top of her class. After high school Inez Prosser continued her education at Samuel Huston College in Austin in year 1926. What did Prosser do after gaining her teacher’s certificate? Inez Beverly Prosser taught at a black elementary school in Austin, Texas (Benjamin Jr, 2008). According to Ludy Benjamin Jr While teaching at this school, Prosser earned an annual salary of $ 540. Other contributions of Inez Beverly Prosser included obtaining an Assistant Principal job at Clayton Industrial School in Manor, Texas for about two years. After this career was pursued, Prosser then joined the faculty team at Anderson High School. This school was of course an all-black school, and was founded in 1889. What did Prosser do as a faculty member? She mainly taught English, and trained girls for spelling competitions. This event was probably similar to what UIL meets are in today’s time period (Benjamin Jr, 2008). Inez Beverly married Rufus Prosser and then earned a Master’s degree at University of Colorado. She was unable to receive any graduate degrees in the state of Texas. This meant that the only way Prosser was able to pursue a graduate degree required to get it out of state. Based on the article, western states usually allowed minorities and women to pursue a graduate degree Benjamin Jr et al, 2008). Why were western states noticing minorities and their education and the south were not? Not all areas shared the same views of equal opportunities for minorities. Based on the research of Ludy Benjamin, at the time Prosser obtained her Master’s degree, living situations was an issue. Students of color were able to live o/on campus in residence halls. They were allowed to 5 live in single rooms with separate bathrooms. Since situations such as these occurred, Prosser chose to avoid the hassle of searching for rooms. Although this is unfortunate, it did not discourage or hinder Prosser from completing her degrees. Inez Beverly’s husband, Rufus worked as an elevator operator, and earned his high school diploma while Inez completed her Master’s degree. After Rufus obtained his high school diploma, he began a prominent career in an insurance business. This allowed both Rufus and Inez Beverly to create a good living themselves. Times were hard enough without having the opportunity to work at a decent job. Even with all of the obstacles that took place while they were married, they did not give up on their education nor their career. Inez Beverly had a way of encouraging individuals to pursue their career. She did not allow fear or doubt to get in the way of pursuing an education. Based on the prior articles regarding Prosser and education, it is apparent that she constantly encouraged individuals to not give up on obtaining an education (Benjamin Jr, 2008). What were some additional contributions that Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser made? Prosser taught students at Tillotson College in Texas and also at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. As a faculty employee member in Tillotson College, Inez’s salary increased to $900 to $1250. This may not seem much to individuals of today’s time period, but in the 1920’s this was quite a salary improvement. According to research, it is unknown of why Prosser chose to move from Tillotson College to Tougaloo College in Mississippi, but some say it was to be close to her sister who accepted a librarian position in Mississippi (Benjamin Jr, 2008). According to Ludy Benjamin, in the years 1931-1932, Prosser worked in at the University of Cincinnati. At this time, the African American population was at an all-time high due it being one of the underground railroad stops that assisted in freedom for slaves. Based on Prosser doctoral dissertation, the racial issues were offensive, but it did not at all have a negative 6 impact on her education and goals. Included within Inez Beverly Prosser’s contained an intensive study, which included a range of personality inventories as well as other tests, which measure a large number of personality and social variables (Benjamin Jr, 2008). Prosser was convinced that black students perform as better students in segregated schools instead of mixed schools. The students according to Prosser are far more attentive when they are within a segregated school. Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser was involved in many workshops, teacher trainings and summer schools while in the state of Mississippi. She published a series of seven articles on teaching English in the Mississippi Educational Journal. The magazine was titled “A monthly magazine for teacher’s in colored schools’. This was by far a reflection of all the hard work and discipline that Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser put into her education and career in educational psychology (Benjamin Jr, 2008). How did Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser die? As expressed by Ludy Benjamin Jr’s findings, After completing a summer program in Jackson, Mississippi in 1934, Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser went to Texas to visit her family. On the way to visit her family with her husband and sister, a tragic vehicle collision occurred. Dr. Inez Beverly endured several injuries, and did not survive the car accident. Although her life came to a tragic end, the motivation and encouragement that she spread on to others still lives (Benjamin Jr, 2008). It is significant to know who the first African American woman who obtained an education in Psychology because African Americans were not always privileged enough to withhold decent jobs, or even an education. In spite of growing up in a time period of segregation and facing, Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser thrived in obtaining degree after degree. After all the tribulations that Prosser conquered within a society full of racism, Inez Beverly Prosser obtained a degree of Psychology in education. 7 References Alridge, D. P. (1999). Guiding philosophical principles for a DuBoisian-based african american educational model. The Journal of Negro Education, 68(2), 182-199. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.portal.lib.fit.edu/docview/222100961?accountid=27313 Benjamin Jr, L. (2008). America’s first black female psychologist. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/11/prosser.aspx Benjamin Jr., L. T., Henry, K. D. and Mcmahon, L. R. (2005), Inez Beverly Prosser and the education of African Americans. J. Hist. Behav. Sci., 41: 43–62. doi:10.1002/jhbs.20058. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.portal.lib.fit.edu/doi/10.1002/jhbs.20058/epdf Lewin, M. (1988). Early Women Psychologists Challenge Sexism. Women's Studies Quarterly, 16(3/4), 58-67. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40003199
