Lemoine Deleaver Pierce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lemoine DeLeaver Pierce
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Lemoine DeLeaver Pierce in class
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| Born | September 2, 1934 |
| Died | October 5, 2015 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | Educator, Mediator |
Lemoine DeLeaver Pierce (September 2, 1934 – October 5, 2015) was an American teacher and a helper who solved problems between people. She worked to bring people together, both in the United States and around the world.
Contents
Biography
Early life
Lemoine DeLeaver Pierce was born in New York City in 1934. She was the oldest of three children. She spent a lot of time on her grandparents' farm in Virginia. Her grandparents didn't get much schooling themselves. But they made sure their six children could go to high school. At that time, Black children in Virginia could only go to school until sixth grade. So, her grandparents sent their children out of state to a special high school in Washington, D.C.
Lemoine grew up mostly in Harlem, New York. Her family lived in one of the first public housing projects in the country. They went to Abyssinian Baptist Church, where Lemoine sang in the choir. She was baptized there when she was nine years old.
Education
Lemoine Pierce went to public schools in Manhattan, New York. She earned her bachelor's degree in Education from Brooklyn College in 1955. Later, in 1963, she received her master's degree in Education from Hunter College.
She continued her studies and earned a law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in 1980. While there, she joined a group for Black law students. She also got a special certificate in management from Harvard University in 1988.
Lemoine loved learning throughout her life. She studied art history from Asia and Hispanic cultures. She also learned about African art at Emory University and in London. Her interest in African history was sparked early. Her aunt married a man from Sierra Leone, West Africa. This helped Lemoine appreciate the connection between African Americans and Africa. Her aunt even gave her a Yoruba name, Modupe, which means "I give thanks to God for watching over me."
Early career
Lemoine Pierce started her career in 1955. She was an elementary school teacher and a guidance counselor in Harlem public schools. In 1965, after getting her master's degree, she was asked to join Hunter College High School. Her job was to help more Black students join this special school.
In 1968, she became an Assistant to the Dean at Barnard College. This was a women's college at Columbia University. At that time, the college wanted to have more diverse students. Lemoine was the first Black administrator at Barnard. She helped the college welcome more Black students. She also worked with a group of Black women students called B.O.S.S. (Barnard Organization of Soul Sisters). This group helped the college add more courses about African American culture.
Mid-career: 1970–1990
After leaving Barnard College in 1971, Lemoine Pierce worked again as a guidance counselor in Harlem. In 1976, she began working for the Berlitz School of Languages. She started as an English teacher in New York.
Later, she became a manager for Berlitz. In 1981, she managed their operations in Baltimore, Maryland. By 1984, she was promoted to District Director for the New England area. She was in charge of sales, operations, and managing business clients in four states.
In 1990, Lemoine moved to Atlanta and joined a consulting firm called D.J. Miller & Associates. She researched government rules about business contracts. This was important because of a court case about fairness for minority and women-owned businesses. Atlanta had a program to make sure a certain percentage of city work went to these businesses. This program became a model for other cities.
However, the program was challenged in court. Cities then had to study if there was past unfairness in the construction industry. This would show why such programs were needed. Lemoine helped research and write parts of these "disparity studies."
After this, Lemoine Pierce became a professor at Morris Brown College. In 1996, she became a full-time professor in their new Legal Studies program. This was the first program of its kind for undergraduate students at a historically Black college.
Later career: 1991–2004
Lemoine Pierce also worked as a consultant for divorce and child custody cases. She helped the National Association of Black Social Workers. She also advised the Georgia Council for International Visitor on solving conflicts. She led workshops for visitors from around the world.
In 1995, she spoke at a conference about managing conflicts. She also advised the U.S. Naval Air Station on domestic violence issues. Lemoine returned to teaching as a professor at several colleges in Georgia. She taught political science and international affairs at Kennasaw State University. In 2004, she taught business law at Georgia State University.
Research and published works
From the mid-1990s to early 2000s, Lemoine Pierce researched the Georgia Department of Corrections. She studied how having parents in prison affected children.
Much of her research and lectures were about her interest in the African Diaspora. This is the history of African people spread around the world. She was curious about a book called "The Black Madonna of Einstedein." She wrote to the author and he sent her a handwritten note with suggestions for more books.
Lemoine was also the editor of a monthly publication called Cues & Views. She wrote several important papers, including:
- "Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators" (1994)
- "The Significance of Silence in the Resolution of Conflict: Western & Non Western Cultures" (1994)
- "Child Custody Concerns of Sentenced Mothers in Georgia" (a research project for the Georgia Department of Corrections)
In 2004, her essay about artist Charles Alston was published in the International Review of African American Art. Her most famous book is "Out From the Clusters." It talks about the role of counselors in cities. Copies of this book were sent to members of Congress and mayors across the country.
Organizations and recognition
Lemoine Pierce joined the Phi Delta Kappa sorority in 1957. She was also a member of the Biglow Society, which honors generous people. She received the Keller School of Graduate Management Certificate for Excellence in Teaching in 1998 and 1999.
She served on the boards of several organizations, including the New York City Mission Society and The Harlem Prep School. In 1994, she received the President's Award for her great work in solving disputes. She was also the first director of the Family Mediation Association of Georgia.
Personal life
Lemoine DeLeaver Pierce was often called "Lee" by her friends and family. She had two children, William and Leslie, from her first marriage. She later married Dr. Eugene Callender in 1963. They separated in 1974. Lemoine continued to work and support her children after their separation.
