She was the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University.
Encouraged by her parents to pursue her education, Clark began college as a physics and math major.
Clark soon started graduate school and gave birth to two children while pursuing her studies.
Getty Images / David Schaffer
Her master’s thesis centered on the formation of racial identity andself-esteem.
Her work helped pave the way for further research on self-concept among minorities.
In 1943, she earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Clark served as the Northside Center’s director until her retirement in 1979.
The Supreme Court ultimately ruled racial segregation to be unconstitutional in U.S. in this case.
Her publications include:
American Psychological Association.Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD, and Kenneth Clark, PhD.
Columbia University.C250 celebrates 250 Columbians ahead of their time.
2019;24(2).
doi:10.24839/2325-7342.JN24.2.84
Clark MP, Clark KB.Racial Identification and Preference in Negro Children[thesis].
Butler, S. N.Mamie Katherine Phipps Clark (19171983).The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.
Updated May 10, 2018.
Columbia University.Kenneth B. Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark.Columbia Encyclopedia.
Hothersall, D.History of Psychology(3rd ed.).
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1995.
