Ethel McGhee Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ethel McGhee Davis
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Portrait of Davis (1928)
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| Student Adviser at Spelman College | |
| In office 1928–1931 |
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| Dean of Women at Spelman College | |
| In office 1931–1932 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | November 30, 1899 Greenville, Georgia, United States |
| Died | July 13, 1990 (aged 90) Arlington, Virginia, United States |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Spelman College Oberlin College New York School of Social Work Teachers College, Columbia University |
Ethel Elizabeth McGhee Davis (November 30, 1899 – July 13, 1990) was an important American educator, social worker, and college leader. She worked as a student adviser from 1928 to 1931. Later, she became the Dean of Women at Spelman College in Atlanta from 1931 to 1932.
Ethel grew up in Greenville, Georgia. She went to elementary and high school at Spelman College, graduating in 1919. She earned her first college degree from Oberlin College in 1923. In 1925, she got a special diploma in social work from the New York School of Social Work.
In 1925, Ethel Davis became the first African American professional social worker in Englewood, New Jersey. She directed social work for the African American community there. In 1928, she moved back to Atlanta to work at Spelman College. She taught sociology and advised students.
Ethel received a special scholarship in 1930 from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. This allowed her to get her master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1931. She then became the Dean of Women at Spelman. This made her the first African American and the first former student to hold such a high position at Spelman.
In 1932, she married John Warren Davis, who was the president of West Virginia State College. She moved to Institute, West Virginia, where she hosted many famous guests. These included W. E. B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Ethel also served on Spelman's Board of Trustees for many years.
Throughout her life, Ethel was very active in her community. She worked with groups like the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was a public speaker and served on many boards. In 1954, she moved back to Englewood, New Jersey, and continued her community work. She passed away in 1990.
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Early Life and Education
Ethel Elizabeth McGhee was born on November 30, 1899. Her mother was Dixie Stephens. Ethel grew up in Greenville, Georgia. She attended elementary and high school at Spelman College in Atlanta for seven years. She graduated from high school in 1919.
While at Spelman, Ethel won awards for reading scripture and for her Christian character. At her graduation, she read an essay about women's role in supporting prohibition.
After Spelman, Ethel went to Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1923. While studying there, she also taught Sunday school.
After Oberlin, Ethel received a special fellowship from the National Urban League. This allowed her to study social work at the New York School of Social Work. The school gave her another fellowship in 1924 because she was so talented. She earned her diploma in 1925. While studying, she also joined the YWCA National Student Council.
Ethel also did important field work. She surveyed the African American population in Morristown, New Jersey. She worked with health and charity groups in Harlem, New York. She also helped as an assistant house mother and parole officer at a home for girls in Pennsylvania.
Career Highlights
Social Work in Englewood
In 1925, Ethel Davis made history in Englewood, New Jersey. She became the first African American professional social worker there. She took on the role of Director of Social Work at the Social Service Federation. This group helped Englewood's African American community.
Ethel worked at Memorial House, directing clubs and activities for girls. She had done some training there before, so she knew the place well. While in Englewood, she worked hard to improve relationships between different races. Because of her excellent work, she received many job offers from other important organizations.
Leading at Spelman College
Ethel Davis started working at Spelman College in Atlanta in September 1928. She was the Student Adviser and also taught sociology. In 1930, she took a year off from Spelman. She received a fellowship from the Julius Rosenwald Fund to continue her studies.
Ethel went back to New York and earned her Master of Arts degree in 1931. She also received a special diploma for advising women and girls. That same year, she was named the Dean of Women at Spelman. This was a big achievement. She was the first African American and the first former student to become an administrator at the college. She stayed in this role until 1932.
Later, Ethel continued to support Spelman College. She served on its Board of Trustees from 1940 to 1964. She was the first former student of Spelman to become a trustee.
Life at West Virginia State College
On September 2, 1932, Ethel married John Warren Davis. He was the President of West Virginia State College. She resigned from her position at Spelman just before her marriage. Then, she moved to the West Virginia State campus in Institute, West Virginia.
At West Virginia State, Ethel and her husband lived in East Hall. Ethel made their home a lively place for cultural and social events. She hosted students, faculty, and many famous visitors. These guests included Mary McLeod Bethune, Ralph Bunche, George Washington Carver, W. E. B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Eleanor Roosevelt. She often held large parties on the porch of East Hall.
Ethel also took part in local meetings about race relations. She gave talks on subjects related to African American history and culture to various groups. She was active in the local NAACP chapter. In 1943, she helped with efforts to create a memorial for Booker T. Washington.
She often hosted national conferences at West Virginia State, like the YWCA Leadership Conference in 1942. Ethel also gave many speeches at graduations and other educational events. After her husband left West Virginia State in 1953, Ethel returned in 1955 as a main speaker for the college's Women's Day program.
Work in Liberia
In 1952, President Harry S. Truman appointed Ethel's husband to a program in Liberia. This program was part of the Technical Cooperation Administration. The Davises moved to Monrovia in December 1952 and stayed there until 1954. While in Liberia, Ethel was active with the YWCA Conference in Nigeria.
Later Life and Community Work
In 1954, Ethel and her husband moved back to Englewood, New Jersey. Ethel continued to be very active in community affairs. She served on the National Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
She was also on the boards of many local organizations in Englewood. These included the Social Service Federation, the Urban League, and the First Baptist Church. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and the National Council of Negro Women. In 1981, the NAACP honored Ethel with the Edward P. Dixon Award for her contributions.
Ethel was a founding member of the Tau Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in 1925. She later became a founding member of another chapter in Bergen County. In 1975, this chapter honored Ethel for her service to the African American community and Memorial House. They even donated a painting in her honor. In 1988, the sorority recognized her for 50 years of service.
Ethel lived in Englewood for 34 years. In 1989, she moved to Falls Church, Virginia, to live with her daughter, Caroline. She passed away on July 13, 1990, at Arlington Hospital. Her daughter described her as "a woman of strong convictions, who put them softly, but held them forthrightly. She was a gentle, loving, and fun mother and friend." A memorial service was held for Ethel at Howard University.
