Darlene Clark Hine facts for kids

Darlene Clark Hine (born February 7, 1947) is an American author and professor. She is well-known for her work in African-American history. In 2014, she received the National Humanities Medal, a special award from the United States government.

Early Life and Education

Darlene Clark was born in Morley, Missouri. She was the oldest of four children. Her father, Levester Clark, was a truck driver, and her mother was Lottie Mae Clark.

Darlene Clark Hine went to college and earned several degrees. She received her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), in 1968 from Roosevelt University. She then continued her studies at Kent State University. There, she earned her Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1970 and her PhD in 1975.

Career as a Professor

Darlene Clark Hine has taught history at several universities. From 1972 to 1974, she was an assistant professor at South Carolina State College. She taught history and black studies.

Later, from 1974 to 1985, she worked at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She started as an assistant professor and later became an associate professor.

Teaching at Michigan State University

From 1985 to 2004, Professor Hine was a history professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing. During her time there, she helped create one of the first special programs. This program allowed students to earn a doctorate degree in comparative black history. She also helped edit a series of books about African-American history. This series was called "Milestones in African American History."

Joining Northwestern University

In 2004, Professor Hine moved to Northwestern University. She became a Board of Trustees Professor of African-American Studies and a Professor of History. She taught and researched there until she retired in 2017.

Understanding the "Culture of Dissemblance"

In 1989, Darlene Clark Hine wrote an important article. It was titled "... and the Inner Lives of Black Women in the Middle West: Preliminary Thoughts on the Culture of Dissemblance". In this article, she introduced a new idea called the "culture of dissemblance".

What is Dissemblance?

Professor Hine described dissemblance as a way Black women behaved. It was a way they acted that seemed open and honest. However, it actually kept their true feelings and experiences private. They did this to protect themselves from people who might harm them.

This idea helped explain why African-American women often kept quiet about personal matters. It was a way to respond to challenges and difficult experiences they faced. The concept also helped explain why many Black women moved North. They were seeking safety and better lives.

Impact of the Concept

Historian Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham noted that this idea was especially important for Black women of the middle class. Professor Hine also pointed out that this "culture of dissemblance" was seen in groups like the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. This organization was formed in 1896.

Awards and Recognition

Darlene Clark Hine is an expert on race, social class, and gender in American society. Because of her knowledge, she has received many awards.

• In 1988, she received the Otto Wirth Alumni Award from Roosevelt University.
• In 1991, she earned a Special Achievement Award from the Kent State University Alumni Association.

Honorary Degrees

Professor Hine has also been given special honorary doctorates from several universities. These include:

• University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1998)
• Purdue University (2002)
• Buffalo State College (2002)
• Lake Forest College (2010)
• Roosevelt University (2014)
• Michigan State University (2015)
• Carnegie Mellon University (2019)

Leadership and Special Honors

From 2001 to 2002, she served as the president of the Organization of American Historians. This is a group for historians in the United States.

In October 2006, she became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This is a very respected group of scholars and leaders.

In 2010, the Organization of American Historians created a new award. It was named the Darlene Clark Hine Award. This award is given to the best book about African American women and gender history.

In 2013, President Barack Obama presented Professor Hine with the National Humanities Medal. She received this high honor for her important work in helping people understand the African-American experience.