Donna Franklin facts for kids

Donna LaVonne Franklin is an African-American social scientist and author. She is known for her important work studying African American families.

Donna Franklin's Early Life and Education

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 is now part of the City of Riverside.

She went to elementary school and started high school in Riverside. 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's land had a history tied to the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped slaves escape to freedom.

Donna graduated from Loma Linda University with a degree in Sociology. She also earned a Master’s degree in social work. Later, she received her PhD from the University of Southern California.

Donna Franklin's Career and Research

In 1982, Donna Franklin made history at the University of Chicago. She was the first African American woman to become an assistant professor there. She worked in the School of Social Administration. Dolores Norton, another important African American woman, helped bring her to the university.

While at the University of Chicago, Donna worked on a big research project. This project looked at poverty in cities and how families were structured. Six years later, she was promoted to associate professor.

In 1994, Donna became a visiting professor at the University of Southern California. From 1997 to 2008, she taught at Smith College. She taught a class called Advanced Social Theory. This was a required course for students in the doctoral program. Donna also taught at Howard and Tuskegee universities.

Donna Franklin helped lead 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 at universities. She wanted to focus on writing books and articles.

Donna Franklin's Family History

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

Her great-grandfather, Lawrence (also called Harry), was born in California around 1864. Donna's great-grandmother, Sabra Ann Hardison, was born into slavery. This was in North Carolina, 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 that time. Sabra Ann and Harry got married on October 2, 1886. They lived their lives in Alhambra, California.

Donna Franklin's Personal Life

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