Leona Farris facts for kids

Leona Wright Farris (born August 11, 1917 – died February 27, 2022) was an important American educator. She taught as an assistant professor at the University of Akron from 1969 to 1988. Some people say she was the first African American woman to be an assistant professor there.

Her family was one of the first Black families to live in Stow, Ohio. Her children were also the first Black children to go to school in that area. Leona Farris helped make dormitories at Ohio State University open to everyone. She stayed active in groups like the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha throughout her life. The University of Akron now has a special scholarship named after her.

Leona Farris's Early Life

Leona Farris was born on August 11, 1917. She grew up without much money. Her father passed away when she was only four years old. One of her sisters died when she was nine.

Leona's mother helped her get an education. In return, Leona helped care for her sister who needed special attention. Leona's mother was a volunteer her whole life. This inspired Leona to also help others. Leona earned her first college degree from Ohio State University (OSU) in 1940.

Helping Integrate College Dorms

While at OSU, Leona helped make the school's dormitories open to all students in 1939. This was part of the integration efforts at the time. Around 1943, Leona married her husband, Melvin Farris, who was a doctor.

Moving to Stow, Ohio

Leona Farris and her family moved to Stow, Ohio in 1954. This was their second try at buying a house there. In 1948, they faced challenges because they were Black. The price of a house was suddenly raised, and other buyers appeared.

In 1954, three doctors worked together to build homes. They used a white contractor to buy the land. The Farris family was the third Black family to move into the area. They were the first Black family with children in Stow.

Volunteering and Community Work

While raising her four children, Leona volunteered a lot. She also cared for a foster child. Her children were the only African American kids in their school district. Leona worked hard to help her children fit in. She helped them make friends that lasted a lifetime.

Leona volunteered with her husband's work in the Summit County Medical Auxiliary. She also helped with the PTA. In the 1960s, she helped stop the local Girl Scout group from using unfair performances for fundraising.

A Career in Education

In the late 1950s, Leona Farris decided to start a new career. She was still studying for her graduate degree at Kent State University. In 1969, she was hired as an assistant professor at the University of Akron. She taught home economics.

Leona Farris was the first African American woman to be an assistant professor at the University of Akron. She finished her degree from Kent State in 1970. She used creative ways to teach. She worked with students to make a film. She also encouraged them to create games based on their lessons. Leona also led workshops for consumers at the university. She retired from Akron University in May 1988.

Community Involvement and Awards

Leona Farris was very active in her community and in national groups. In 1962, she helped raise money for the NAACP in Akron. By 1982, Leona was involved in 16 different groups. She was chosen as an alternate delegate for the White House Conference on Aging in 1981.

She was also part of the United Way. She worked with the Western Reserve Girl Scout Council. She was involved with American Field Service and Alpha Kappa Alpha. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha for over 75 years. As a senior citizen, she learned to belly dance for exercise. She even performed for other seniors.

Recognitions and Honors

In 1981, the Home Economics Alumni Association at OSU gave Leona Farris a special award. It was for her great leadership in her field. In 1985, she received another award for her service to the United Way of Summit County. The University of Akron created the Leona W. Farris Scholarship in 1987. This scholarship helps students today.

Around 2012, Leona Farris moved from Stow to Copley Place in Copley, Ohio. She passed away on February 27, 2022, at the age of 104.