Darlene Clark Hine facts for kids

Darlene Clark Hine, born on February 7, 1947, is a famous American author and professor. She is known for her important work in African-American history. In 2014, she received the National Humanities Medal, a very important award.

Early Life and Education

Darlene Clark Hine 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.

She went to Roosevelt University and earned her bachelor's degree in 1968. Later, she studied at Kent State University. She received her master's degree in 1970 and her PhD in 1975 from Kent State.

Career as a Professor

Darlene Clark Hine began her teaching career in 1972. She was an assistant professor of history and black studies at South Carolina State College.

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

In 1985, Hine moved to Michigan State University in East Lansing. There, she became the John A. Hannah Professor of History. She helped create one of the first doctoral programs focused on comparative black history. She also helped edit a series of books about African-American history.

In 2004, Professor Hine joined Northwestern University. She was a Board of Trustees Professor of African-American Studies and a Professor of History. She retired from teaching in 2017.

Understanding Black Women's Experiences

Darlene Clark Hine has written about how Black women in America have often protected their inner thoughts and feelings. She called this "dissemblance." It was a way for them to keep their true selves private from people who might not understand or be kind.

This idea was especially important for Black women in the middle class. Hine noted that this way of protecting themselves was seen in groups like the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, which started in 1896.

Awards and Honors

Because of her deep knowledge of race, class, and gender in American society, Darlene Clark Hine has received many awards. In 1988, she won the Otto Wirth Alumni Award from Roosevelt University. In 1991, she received a Special Achievement Award from the Kent State University Alumni Association.

She has also received honorary doctorates from several universities. These include the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1998), Purdue University (2002), Buffalo State College (2002), Lake Forest College (2010), Roosevelt University (2014), Michigan State University (2015), and Carnegie Mellon University (2019).

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

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 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 gave her the National Humanities Medal. This award honored her important work in helping people understand the African-American experience.