From Sharecropping to the Academy: Lessons Learned From a Black Woman's Tenure Journey

• In Event: 52.019 - Mentoring Scholars: Black and Latino Faculty

Abstract

This paper traces the 20th century transformation of Mildred Sirls from a young black girl sharecropping in rural east Texas during the Great Depression to Dr. Mildred Pratt, Professor of Social Work at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Dr. Pratt’s journey is analyzed through transdisciplinary lenses and the power domains of Black feminism to illustrate that her success can be attributed to her ability to fight hegemonic ideologies of racism and sexism; her skill in navigating complex interpersonal relationships, including those involving “Uncle Toms”; her ability to master the policies, practices, and procedures of her department and college; and her commitment to Black community engagement. This paper provides a unique African-American female voice about the United States education experience.

Author

• Menah Pratt-Clarke, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign