Donna Franklin facts for kids

Donna LaVonne Franklin is an African-American social scientist and author. She is well-known for her studies on African American families. Her work helps us understand how families grow and change. She has also taught at many universities.

Early Life and School

Donna Franklin was born in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were Donald A. Franklin and Helen Kirkpatrick Franklin. When she was young, her family moved to La Sierra, California. This area later became part of Riverside. She went to elementary school and started high school there.

High School Years

For her last years of high school, Donna went to Pine Forge Academy. This was a special boarding school for African American students. It was located in Pennsylvania. The school campus had a rich history. It was once owned by Thomas Rutter, who was against slavery. The land was even a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.

College Education

Donna Franklin earned her first degree from Loma Linda University. She studied sociology there. Later, she went to the University of Southern California. She earned two more degrees from USC. These were a Master's in social work and a PhD. A PhD is the highest degree you can get in a field of study.

Donna Franklin's Career

Donna Franklin made history in 1982. She became the first African American woman to be an assistant professor at the University of Chicago. This was at their School of Social Administration. She was invited to join by Dolores Norton. Dolores Norton was the first African American woman to earn a permanent teaching position at the University of Chicago.

Research and Teaching

While at the University of Chicago, Donna Franklin worked on a big research project. This project looked at poverty in cities and how families were structured. She was interested in how social situations affect young people's important life choices. Six years later, she became an associate professor.

In 1994, Donna Franklin became a visiting professor at the University of Southern California. From 1997 to 2008, she taught at Smith College. She taught a required course for students getting their doctoral degrees. She also taught at Howard and Tuskegee universities.

Leadership and Writing

Donna Franklin was a leader in the Council on Contemporary Families. She was one of the first national co-chairs from 1997 to 1999. She also served on its board of directors. In 2008, she stopped teaching full-time. She wanted to focus more on her writing.

Family History

Donna Franklin's family has deep roots in California. On her father's side, her family was one of the first African American families to live in the San Gabriel Valley. About 50 members of the Franklin family are buried in the historic Savannah Memorial Park. This cemetery is in Rosemead, California.

Great-Grandparents' Story

Her great-grandfather, Lawrence (also called Harry), was born in California around 1864. Her great-grandmother, Sabra Ann Hardison, was born into slavery in North Carolina. This was around the start of the Civil War. Sabra Ann came to California as a helper for the family of Gail Borden Jr.. He was famous for inventing condensed milk. She settled in the San Gabriel Valley.

Sabra Ann met Harry soon after she arrived. They were among the few African Americans in the area. Harry spoke Spanish very well. He worked for the sheriff in El Monte at the time. Sabra Ann and Harry got married on October 2, 1886. They lived their lives in Alhambra, California.

Personal Life

Donna Franklin was married to Bart McSwine from 1971 to 1982. He was a historian and a writer for plays. Donna is the mother of one daughter, Myisha Karimah McSwine. She also has one grandson, Malo Kagen McSwine.