Deborah E. McDowell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deborah E. McDowell
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| Awards | Honorary Doctorate, Purdue University, Helen Homans Gilbert Prize Lectureship, Harvard University, Zintl Leadership Award |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Purdue University |
| Thesis | "Women on Women: The Black Woman Writer of the Harlem Renaissance--Jessie Fauset, Nella Larsen, Zora Neale Hurston" |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | University of Virginia, Carter G. Woodson Institute of African-American and African Studies |
| Main interests | African-American Literature and Culture,Women's Literature |
Deborah E. McDowell is a well-known scholar and author. She was born in 1951. Since 1987, she has been a professor at the University of Virginia. There, she holds a special title: the Alice Griffin Professor of Literary Studies. In 2008, Professor McDowell became the director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies at the University of Virginia. This institute focuses on studying the history and culture of people of African descent.
Early Life and Childhood
Deborah McDowell grew up in Bessemer, Alabama. She wrote about her childhood experiences in her first book. This book is a memoir called Leaving Pipe Shop: Memories of Kin. A memoir is a true story about a part of someone's life.
Her Career in Academics and Writing
Deborah McDowell went to college and earned several degrees. She received her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), from Tuskegee University. Later, she earned her Master of Arts (M.A.) and Ph.D. degrees from Purdue University. A Ph.D. is the highest degree you can get in many fields.
She has been a professor at the University of Virginia since 1987. She also started a special book series at Beacon Press. This series, called the African-American Women Writers Series, published important books by Black women authors. She was the editor for this series from 1985 to 1993. Deborah McDowell was also featured in a documentary film called Unearthed and Understood.
In 2018, she received the Zintl Leadership Award. This award was given to her by the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women's Center. It recognizes her strong leadership and contributions.
