Inez Beverly Prosser (1890-1983)

Professional Life
Inez Beverly Prosser was born on December 30, 1895 in San Marcos, Texas. At the time of her youth, there were few educational opportunities for African-Americans, and her family moved many times to seek the best education they could find for their 11 children. Encouraged by their parents, and aided by Prosser, who helped fund the education of several of them, her siblings all graduated high school and six of them, including Prosser, eventually received college degrees.

Her academic achievements were impressive. Prosser graduated at the top of her class from both her high school and from Prairie View Normal College. She began teaching immediately after graduating, but enrolled in Samuel Huston College soon after. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1924, receiving top honors and several awards for her accomplishments. She transferred to the University of Colorado to get her master’s degree in psychology and went on to the University of Cincinnati, where she made history when she became one of the first African-American women to receive a PhD in psychology in 1933.
Prosser worked professionally throughout her pursuit of higher education. She held positions at many schools, and not only taught, but also became assistant principal. She eventually took a position at Anderson High School, where she met her husband. Although racial discrimination was rampant, Prosser continued to accept minimal wages for work that rivaled or exceeded that of her white colleagues.

After she graduated from the University of Colorado, Prosser took a position at Tillotson College in Austin. The all-black college allowed her to expand her teaching talents and fully immerse herself in her passion: the psychological and educational advancement of all African-American students. She stayed at the college for nearly ten years, before going to Tougaloo College in Mississippi. There, she acted as Registrar and Dean. Prosser continued her graduate studies and spent the remainder of her career advocating for the advancement of African-American education.

Contribution to Psychology
Prosser posed a powerful argument regarding the effects of racial inequality on the mental health of African-American children. In her dissertation, she discussed optional education avenues, exploring reasons for providing children the opportunity to be educated according to their ability, not their socio-economic status. She cited examples of psychological stress in students incurred as a result of racial discrepancies and racial isolation. Prosser voiced her support for segregated schools and the reasons they benefited students and staff, and the reasons that they did not.

Prosser’s influence on education was felt across many fields. During the debates over school segregation in the 1920’s, many of her arguments were cited. She was a critical voice for the African-American community at a time when women academics were scarce. Her contribution to the betterment of education for all students can be felt in many policies still being used throughout the teaching community today.