Mary Perry Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Perry Smith
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Smith in 1983
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| Born | May 29, 1926 |
| Died | August 10, 2015 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Ball State University Purdue University |
| Occupation | Mathematics educator |
| Known for | Co-founded the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame |
| Spouse(s) | Norvel L. Smith |
Mary Perry Smith (born May 29, 1926 – died August 10, 2015) was an American mathematics teacher. She helped create two important programs. One was the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program. The other was the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Education
Mary Perry Smith was born on May 29, 1926, in Evansville, Indiana. She was one of six children. Her father was a minister. Her grandfather was a chaplain and a math teacher at Tuskegee University. Her parents met there.
As a child, Mary moved often with her family. They lived in several towns across Indiana. These included Kokomo, Logansport, and Anderson.
Mary studied mathematics and science at Ball State University. She earned her bachelor's degree in just three years. She was one of only a few African-American students there. Later, she went to Purdue University. In 1948, she earned a master's degree. This degree was in counseling and guidance.
Teaching Career and Contributions
After college, Mary Perry Smith faced challenges finding a job. This was due to unfair hiring practices in Indiana. So, she moved to Houston, Texas. There, she taught mathematics for three years. She taught at the newly opened Texas State University for Negroes.
She later married Norvel L. Smith. Her husband would become the first African American head of a college in California. They moved to Oakland, California. Mary started a doctoral program at the University of California, Berkeley. She studied educational psychology. However, she decided to become a teacher instead.
From 1953 to 1961, she taught at a junior high school in San Francisco. After that, she taught geometry at Oakland Technical High School. She taught there for 17 years.
Helping Students and Artists
Mary Perry Smith was passionate about helping others. In 1969, she co-founded the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program. This program helps students from less privileged backgrounds. It supports them in math, engineering, and science. MESA helps these students get ready for college.
In 1974, she also helped start the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. This organization was in Oakland, California. It celebrated the achievements of Black filmmakers. She even served as its president.
Mary left her teaching job in 1977. She then worked full-time for the MESA program. She became the statewide program director. She also served on the board of the Oakland Museum of California. Mary Perry Smith passed away in 2015.
Legacy
Mary Perry Smith's important papers are kept at the Bancroft Library. This library is part of the University of California, Berkeley. Her work continues to inspire many.
