Rita Smith-Wade-El | |
---|---|
Born | Washington, D.C. | 1 October 1948
Died | 29 December 2018 Lancaster, Pennsylvania | (aged 70)
Occupation | Academic |
Nationality | American |
Subject | Psychology, African-American studies |
Rita Smith-Wade-El (October 1, 1948 – December 29, 2018) [1] was an American professor of psychology, women's studies, and African-American studies.
Smith-Wade-El was born in Washington, D.C. to Eva Mae and James Edward Smith. [2] [3] She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Barnard College and both her master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. [4] In her youth, she was a member of the Black Panther Party and Students for a Democratic Society. [5]
Smith-Wade-El was a professor of psychology, Pan-African studies, and women's studies at Temple University for ten years. [3] [4] For 35 years she taught at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where she was the director of African-American studies. [3] She created the African-American studies minor and was instrumental in the creation of the Latino studies minor. [3] She left the university in 2018 due to her diagnosis of breast cancer. [6] She was the education chair of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania branch of the NAACP. [7]
Smith-Wade-El resided in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for more than thirty years. [4] She had two sons, the younger of whom is politician Ismail Smith-Wade-El. [5] She was a devout Roman Catholic. [2] She died of triple-negative breast cancer in 2018 at the age of 70, having first been diagnosed with the disease in 2008. [8]
Smith-Wade-El was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Essence of Humanity Award given by the Crispus Attucks Community Center. [4] In 2018, Millersville University renamed its Intercultural Center to the Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center. [6] The former James Buchanan Elementary School in Lancaster was renamed in her honor to Rita Smith-Wade-El Elementary School in 2021. [7]
Rita Smith-Wade-El | |
---|---|
Born | Washington, D.C. | 1 October 1948
Died | 29 December 2018 Lancaster, Pennsylvania | (aged 70)
Occupation | Academic |
Nationality | American |
Subject | Psychology, African-American studies |
Rita Smith-Wade-El (October 1, 1948 – December 29, 2018) [1] was an American professor of psychology, women's studies, and African-American studies.
Smith-Wade-El was born in Washington, D.C. to Eva Mae and James Edward Smith. [2] [3] She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Barnard College and both her master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. [4] In her youth, she was a member of the Black Panther Party and Students for a Democratic Society. [5]
Smith-Wade-El was a professor of psychology, Pan-African studies, and women's studies at Temple University for ten years. [3] [4] For 35 years she taught at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where she was the director of African-American studies. [3] She created the African-American studies minor and was instrumental in the creation of the Latino studies minor. [3] She left the university in 2018 due to her diagnosis of breast cancer. [6] She was the education chair of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania branch of the NAACP. [7]
Smith-Wade-El resided in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for more than thirty years. [4] She had two sons, the younger of whom is politician Ismail Smith-Wade-El. [5] She was a devout Roman Catholic. [2] She died of triple-negative breast cancer in 2018 at the age of 70, having first been diagnosed with the disease in 2008. [8]
Smith-Wade-El was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Essence of Humanity Award given by the Crispus Attucks Community Center. [4] In 2018, Millersville University renamed its Intercultural Center to the Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center. [6] The former James Buchanan Elementary School in Lancaster was renamed in her honor to Rita Smith-Wade-El Elementary School in 2021. [7]