Gwendolyn Wilson Fowler facts for kids

Gwendolyn Wilson Fowler was an amazing African-American pharmacist. She was the first black woman to become a licensed pharmacist in Iowa. She also made history as the first African-American woman from Iowa to work for the United States Foreign Service (a group that helps represent the U.S. in other countries). She worked in Vietnam in the 1950s. In 1987, she was honored in the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Education

Gwendolyn Mary Wilson was born on December 8, 1907. Her hometown was Dardanelle, Arkansas. Her parents were Fannie and Dr. Cornelius Wilson.

In 1913, her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Gwendolyn went to Bryant Elementary School. Later, she attended West High School in Des Moines.

After high school, she went to a special training school. This school was on the campus of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She graduated with honors in 1926.

Gwendolyn then returned to Iowa. She started studying pharmacy at the University of Iowa. After one year, she moved to the Des Moines College of Pharmacy. This school later became part of Drake University.

In 1930, she earned her degree in chemistry and pharmaceuticals. She was the first African-American woman in Iowa to get a pharmacy degree. In 1931, she officially became a registered pharmacist. This made her the first registered black pharmacist in the state.

Career Highlights

After finishing her studies, Gwendolyn could not find a job in Iowa. So, she went back to Holly Springs, Mississippi. She taught there for one year.

She later returned to Des Moines. For a while, she worked as a waitress. Then, she was hired as a maid by Winnie Ewing Coffin. Ms. Coffin was a wealthy woman. She later left money to the Des Moines Art Center to buy artworks.

In 1936, Gwendolyn and Ms. Coffin went on a trip around the world. They traveled to buy art for the new museum. Gwendolyn's diary shows they spent much of the year in California. In November 1936, they started their world tour.

They traveled from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada. Then they went to Hawaii. By December, they were in Yokohama, Japan. Their trip continued to Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. They also visited Australia, Sumatra, Bali, Java, and Singapore. The trip ended in Japan after Ms. Coffin's sudden death.

Gwendolyn returned to Des Moines. On January 19, 1938, she married Lafe H. Fowler. They divorced in 1946, but she kept his last name.

Working as a Chemist

In 1944, Fowler finally found a job in her field. She was hired by the State of Iowa as a pharmacy clerk. She worked for the state for nine years.

After that, she took a job as a consultant. She worked at the Iowa State Department of Agriculture laboratory as a chemist. Her work caught the attention of the federal government.

She was hired by the United States Foreign Service. She was one of only nine women in this role. She was also the only woman of color. Before her overseas assignment, she trained in Washington, D.C. She worked as a chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In 1955, she was chosen for a job in Ethiopia. It was a hospital post for the United States Foreign Operations Administration. Even though she was approved, the job was taken away because she was a woman.

A few weeks later, she was approved for a similar job in Saigon. In 1957, she briefly visited home from Vietnam. She was working there as a program analyst and training officer. In 1959, Fowler was sent to Korea.

After her foreign service ended, she returned to Iowa. She worked again at the Iowa Department of Agriculture laboratory. In 1962, she started working as a staff pharmacist. She worked at Broadlawns Polk County Hospital until she retired in 1974.

Later Life and Recognition

After retiring, Fowler spent her time volunteering. She was a lifelong member of the NAACP. She was also active in the American Association of University Women.

She volunteered for the Red Cross and the Des Moines Civic Music Board. She served on the Iowa State Drug Abuse Council. She was also on the Board of Directors of the YWCA.

Governor Robert D. Ray appointed her to the Iowa Statewide Health Coordinating Council. She also received the Governor's Volunteer Award. In 1987, she was honored for her achievements. She was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.

Gwendolyn Wilson Fowler passed away on November 19, 1997. Her important papers were later given to the Iowa Women's Archives Collection. This collection is at the University of Iowa Libraries in Iowa City, Iowa.