Carolyn R. Payton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolyn R. Payton
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| 8th Director of the Peace Corps | |
| In office September 1977 – November 1978 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | John Dellenback |
| Succeeded by | Richard F. Celeste |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 13, 1925 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | April 11, 2001 (aged 75) Washington, DC, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bennett College (BA) University of Wisconsin (MS) Columbia University (EdD) |
Carolyn Robertson Payton (born May 13, 1925 – died April 11, 2001) was an important American leader. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter chose her to lead the Peace Corps. This made her the first woman and the first African American to be the Director of the Peace Corps. She was also a trailblazer for black women in the field of psychology.
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Early Life and Education
Carolyn Robertson was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1925. Her father, Leroy Solomon Robertson, was a chef. Her mother, Bertha Flanagan Robertson, was a seamstress and homemaker. Her family believed strongly in the importance of education. Her grandfather, who was born into slavery, made sure all his children went to college.
In 1941, Carolyn started college at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She studied home economics and graduated in 1945. Payton said that Bennett, a small college for Black women, helped her dream big. It also showed her what she was capable of as a woman. She stayed connected to Bennett College throughout her life. In the late 1990s, she even started a scholarship fund there.
Payton then went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison for her master's degree. She studied clinical psychology and earned her M.S. in 1948. At that time, Virginia paid for her to study out-of-state. This was because Black students could not get the same graduate degree in Virginia as White students.
For her master's project, Payton studied a new intelligence test. She found that the test did not accurately measure the abilities of Black people. While at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she married Raymond Rudolph Payton. They divorced in 1951. In 1952, Payton began taking summer classes at Columbia University. She earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in 1962.
Academic Career and Teaching
Carolyn Payton started her first job in 1948. She taught psychology at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, for five years. In 1953, she became the Dean of Women and a psychology instructor. This was at Elizabeth City State Teachers College. Today, it is called Elizabeth City State University.
In 1956, Payton became an associate professor of psychology. She taught at Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia. Then, in 1959, she became an assistant professor of psychology at Howard University.
After leaving the Peace Corps in 1978, Payton returned to Howard University. She became the Dean of Counseling and Career Development. Later, she was the Director of University Counseling Services. As Dean, she helped create a training center for students. Payton retired from Howard University in 1995.
Leading the Peace Corps
Working as a Staff Member
Payton first joined the Peace Corps in 1964. She worked as a field assignment officer. Her job was to help prepare new volunteers for their service in West Africa. She traveled a lot for the Peace Corps. She conducted interviews and psychological tests. She also observed volunteers to help them have the best experience.
In 1966, she became the Deputy Country Director for the Caribbean. The next year, in 1967, she was named Country Director for the Caribbean region. She oversaw 130 volunteers. These volunteers worked on education projects across eight islands. At that time, she was one of only two women who were country directors.
Becoming the Director
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Payton as the Director of the Peace Corps. As Director, Payton had disagreements with Sam Brown. Brown was the Director of ACTION. ACTION was an agency that managed the Peace Corps and other service programs.
Brown wanted to send volunteers for short times to other countries. Then, they would bring their skills back to fight poverty in the United States. Payton believed this went against the original goals of the Peace Corps. She felt Brown was trying to turn the Peace Corps into a political group.
Payton resigned in 1978 after 13 months as Director. She said her policy differences with ACTION were a reason. After her resignation, President Carter made the Peace Corps its own independent agency. This meant it was no longer under ACTION.
Staying Connected
Carolyn Payton remained connected to the Peace Corps. In 1981, she spoke about the great work volunteers had done. She shared a story about volunteers helping after a hurricane in the Caribbean. These volunteers had left the islands in 1967. Yet, they still cared about the people there. Payton said this caring was "at the heart of the Peace Corps."
In 1988, Payton received the Peace Corps Leader for Peace Award. In 2000, she attended the swearing-in ceremony for a new Peace Corps Director.
Professional Achievements and Awards
Payton was very active in the American Psychological Association (APA). She served on many important committees. These included groups focused on ethics, women in psychology, and LGBTQ+ concerns. In 1987, she became a fellow of the APA.
She also won several awards from the APA. In 1982, she received the Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Service Award. In 1985, she was honored for being an "outstanding teacher, role model, and mentor." This award recognized her work for women and minority groups.
In 1997, Payton received the APA Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology. This award recognized her dedication to using psychology. She worked to improve understanding between cultures. She also worked to end social injustice. Her success in overcoming barriers made her a role model for many.
