Gloria Ray Karlmark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gloria Ray Karlmark
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| Born |
Gloria Cecelia Ray
September 26, 1942 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
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| Education | Illinois Institute of Technology (B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics, 1965) |
| Occupation | Chemist, educator, activist |
| Known for | Member of the Little Rock Nine |
| Spouse(s) | Krister Karlmark (m. 1966) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal (1999) |
Gloria Cecelia Ray Karlmark was born on September 26, 1942. She is famous for being one of the Little Rock Nine. These were nine brave African-American students. In 1957, they helped to end segregation at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Segregation meant that Black and white students were kept separate.
Gloria was 15 years old when she first tried to enter Central High School. The Arkansas National Guard, ordered by Governor Orval Faubus, stopped her and the other students. Governor Faubus did not want schools to be integrated. Weeks later, the students returned to the school. This time, federal troops protected them, making sure they could enter.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gloria Ray Karlmark grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was one of three children. Her parents were Harvey C. and Julia Miller Ray.
In 1965, Gloria graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. After college, she worked for a short time as a public school teacher. She also worked as a research assistant at the University of Chicago Research Medical Center.
Career and Family Life
In 1966, Gloria married Krister Karlmark. They later had two children together.
In 1970, Gloria joined International Business Machine's (IBM) Nordic Laboratory. This was in Stockholm, Sweden. She worked there as a systems analyst and a technical writer. A systems analyst helps design and improve computer systems. A technical writer creates clear instructions and documents for complex topics.
Gloria also helped start a journal called Computers in Industry in 1976. She was the main editor for this international journal until 1991. The journal focused on how computers are used in different industries.
Later, Gloria became a patent attorney in Sweden. A patent attorney helps people protect their new inventions. From 1977 to 1981, she worked for IBM International Patent Operations. In 1994, Gloria moved to the Netherlands. She worked for Philips Telecommunications and later for Philips Lighting.
Awards and Recognition
Gloria Ray Karlmark and the other members of the Little Rock Nine have received many honors for their courage.
Congressional Gold Medal
In 1999, Karlmark and the Little Rock Nine were given the Congressional Gold Medal. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the United States. They received it for their "selfless heroism." This means they acted bravely without thinking of themselves.
Spingarn Medal
In 1958, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded the Little Rock Nine the Spingarn Medal. This medal is given for outstanding achievements by an African American.
Honorary Doctorate
In 2019, the Illinois Institute of Technology gave Gloria Karlmark an Honorary Doctorate of Science. This special degree recognized her important work. It honored her contributions to creating a more fair and welcoming society.
Later Life
Gloria Karlmark has spoken about her concerns regarding unfair treatment based on race in the United States. Today, she lives in both Sweden and the Netherlands.
