Mamie Phipps Clark, Champion for Children

by Lynnette Mawhinney, Neil Evans (Illustrator)

Overview

This inspiring graphic novel tells the story of groundbreaking psychologist and civil rights activist Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD, and her research in the racial identity and development of self in Black children, the work that ultimately played a vital role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.

Part of American Psychological Association's Extraordinary Women in Psychology series.

The Children’s Book Council (CBC) - 9th-12th grade TEACHER and LIBRARIAN favorite

Mamie was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, during a time when United States laws intentionally disadvantaged Black people and permitted racial segregation. This profoundly impacted her life and work and instilled in her an unstoppable force to champion for Black children. Mamie made a difference with science—she studied math and psychology at Howard University. She was first the Black woman to graduate from Columbia University with a doctorate degree in psychology. Mamie expanded her earlier master's research into the famous black-doll/white-doll experiments that exposed the negative effects of racial segregation in children. Along with her research partner and husband, Kenneth Clark, Mamie became expert witnesses in several school desegregation cases, including Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, which effectively ended racial segregation in school. Mamie dedicated her life to advocate for children who deserved more than what society offered them and she built the Northside Center in Harlem, NY to support children with special needs, academic programs, and mental health services.

Filled with interesting news stories and thought-provoking activities, this book encourages readers to carry on Mamie’s legacy and become champions for themselves and others in their community.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433830488
Publisher:	Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Publication date:	02/06/2024
Series:	Extraordinary Women in Psychology
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.75(w) x 8.75(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 13 Years

About the Author

Lynnette Mawhinney, PhD, is professor of urban education at Rutgers University-Newark and affiliated faculty in Africana Studies. She is an award-winning author and scholar of six books.

Table of Contents

Introduction
 
Chapter 1. Growing up in Jim Crow South
Did You Know: The Lynching of Gilbert Harris
Try This: Use Your Voice, Create a Protest Sign
 
Chapter 2. From a One Room School House to Howard University
Did You Know: There Used to be Many Black Teachers
Try This: School History Fact Find
 
Chapter 3. Early Research at Howard University
Did You Know: The Second Shift
Try This: Dr. Mamie Clark's Research
 
Chapter 4. Black Doll/White Doll Experiment
Did You Know: Black is Beautiful Movement
Try This: Picturing Black Joy
 
Chapter 5. Research and School Desegregation
Did You Know: Hedgepeth-Williams Case
Try This: Identity and Self-Love Journal
 
Chapter 6. Northside Center for Child Development
Did You Know: Little Rock Nine
Try This: Explore Your Community Needs
 
How to be a Champion by Dr. Kira Baker-Doyle
Timeline
Bibliography
Glossary
About the Author and Illustrator