Marigold Linton facts for kids

Marigold Linton, born in 1936, is a remarkable Native American psychologist. She is a proud citizen of the Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians. In 1964, she made history as the first Native American to earn a doctorate (PhD) in psychology.

Later, in 1974, she helped start the National Indian Education Association. Her important studies on how we remember things for a long time are often mentioned in psychology. She also works to help more minority students get involved in math and science at the University of Texas system. She even led the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in California

Marigold Lorelei Linton was born in Banning, California, in 1936. She is from the Cahuilla and Cupeño tribes. She grew up on the Morongo Reservation in Southern California. Her great-great-grandfather was Antonio Garra, a Cupeño war chief.

Breaking Barriers in College

Marigold faced many challenges growing up. But she worked hard and, in 1954, became the first Native American from a California reservation to attend college. She went to the new University of California, Riverside. There, she earned top grades and got her bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Earning a PhD

By the time she started graduate school, she had already published two research papers. She went on to earn her PhD from UCLA in 1964. This achievement made her the very first Native American to receive a doctorate in psychology.

A Career of Impact

Supporting Native American Students

Marigold Linton has worked hard to help Native American students and teachers. She helped create programs like Bridges to the Baccalaureate and RISE. These programs provide funding for biomedical research. They support students and faculty at the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. She helped raise over $18 million in grants for this important partnership.

Leading SACNAS

She was one of the first members to help create SACNAS. This group helps Chicano/Latino, Native American, and other minority students succeed in science careers. SACNAS includes students, teachers, and scientists. Marigold Linton was the President of the SACNAS Board of Directors from 2004 to 2007.

Founding the NIEA

Marigold Linton also helped start the National Indian Education Association (NIEA). This group began in 1969. The NIEA is a non-profit organization that works to make sure Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian people have a say in education. Today, the NIEA has more than 10,000 members.

Important National Roles

Marigold Linton has held many important positions across the country. She served on the Committee on Equality of Opportunity in Science and Engineering (CEOSE) from 2006 to 2009. She was also on the Board of Directors for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching from 1977 to 1985. Her work has helped shape science and education policies for many years.

Published Research

Marigold Linton has written important papers about memory. Here are some of her well-known works:

• Linton, M. (1982) 'Transformations of memory in everyday life', in Neisser, U. (ed.) Memory Observed: Remembering in Natural Contexts, San Francisco, Freeman.
• Linton, M. (1986) 'Ways of searching and the contents of memory', in Rubin, D.C. (ed.) Autobiographical Memory, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.