Her Story
About Dr.Gwendolyn
I have always known that I would be an educator from the time I was born. I'm the fourth child of six, and my parents valued education even though they were from a different time in Jim Crow America. They valued education through hard work and provided an excellent childhood for my siblings and me. All of us knew we would go to college, and although our parents did not go to college themselves, they encouraged us and made sure we had every opportunity. I just celebrated my 50th anniversary from college - I'm called a golden grad now. I started out teaching everything I learned to my younger brother and two sisters at home. They would make up my class, and my parents encouraged me, never discouraged me. I would ask for things like blackboard and crayon and set up my classroom. When I went to North Carolina Central University in Durham, I was an honor grad there and participated in everything I could, but I was just a scholar. I was fortunate that my parents paid my way, so I did not have a scholarship, and I knew that was an advantage to not worry about anything other than studying. Because it was my dad's money by the sweat of his brow and there was a tremendous sacrifice, I knew they expected nothing but excellence, so I made A's and set out to do a good job. After finishing college with honors, I started teaching, and my principals saw something in me for leadership and encouraged me to go forward with my master's. I went to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was in a pilot group where they wanted teachers to study library science so they would encourage students to read better. I received my Master in Library Science in 1978, and later earned my doctorate, a Doctor of Education, in 2002. Throughout my career, I've focused on lifting others up and reaching back to help those coming after me.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr.Gwendolyn
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I did a presentation to students who were coming out on what is expected of them when they are trying to get hired. I taught them that they could not always rely on race and their family background to get them ahead. They learned that even though they were from the best of homes, they did not get jobs right away and were doing other things. We wrote a grant to get more librarians out in the field and to teach them that they're going into a field that is kind of traditional and that it required a certain protocol. I emphasized that we would have to pivot to adapt, and then once you make it, then you could help make changes.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Even though I have my own brand and I'm working to do things in my community, in my sorority, in lifting others up, I want to encourage others who feel like they're not influential to understand that they truly are. I am someone who reaches back. My parents valued education through hard work and provided an excellent childhood for my siblings and me. Because it was my dad's money by the sweat of his brow and there was a tremendous sacrifice, I knew they expected nothing but excellence, so I made A's and set out to do a good job. Excellence, hard work, and lifting others up have always been central to everything I do.
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