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Gwendolyn Calvert Baker (1931-2019, 87 years old)

Early Life: Gwendolyn Joyce Clavert-Baker was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on December 31, 1931. As a child, she lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her parents and four siblings. She attended public school within her neighborhood and, in 1949, graduated from Ann Arbor High School with cum laude while serving as class president. Following graduation, she enrolled at the University of Michigan, where she eventually earned three degrees cum laude; a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education; a Master of Arts in Educational Administration; and, a Doctorate in Education. In her book, “Hot Fudge Sundae in a White Paper Cup: A Spirited Black Woman in a White World”, she also describes some of her childhood experiences while living in Ann Arbor.

GWENDOLYN BAKER: We had a family. I had a mother and a father, and they were married, and there were five of us. I was the oldest child, and we lived together in a house in Ann Arbor, Michigan on 4th Avenue. And we were a very close knit family. Gwendolyn Joyce Calvert-Baker was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on December 31, 1931 to Viola "Sweet" (Lee) Calvert, and Edward Burgess Calvert. Gwendolyn was the eldest of five siblings. Gwendolyn grew up and attended public schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1949 serving as class president, Gwen graduated cum laude from Ann Arbor High School. Following graduation, Gwen enrolled as a freshman at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, where she eventually earned three degrees cum laude; a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education; a Master of Arts in Educational Administration; and, a Doctorate in Education. In 1950 Gwen Married her high school sweetheart James Grady Baker, and to that union three children were born; JoAnn Elizabeth, Claudia Jayne, and James Grady, Jr. While raising her family, Gwen attended her U of M studies, served as the Secretary for Second Baptist Church, and was an admissions clerk at the U of M Hospital. Career: Calvert Baker’s work on the field of education and fight for multicultural equality has been a catalog of epics. Growing up around people who were unfortunate and unrecognized, Baker strived to become a teacher, an educator who informs her students about their status and goals. Her beginnings as a teacher landed her a position at Ann Arbor Public Schools. After a while of teaching, her talents as an instructor took her to higher positions, each more respectable and honorable than the last. She has gone past a teacher, to a U of M instructor, a professor, a principal, and even director of the Affirmative Action Programs. Her love for teaching and love for everyone is admirable and unrivaled. She has made quite a moniker for herself, perhaps her most distinguished and exemplary titles would have to be the president of NYC Board of Education and the United Nations Children’s Fund. It seems to be that every single profession she has undergone, it aims towards advocacy for activism.

Dr. Baker had an extraordinary career. Gwen was a nationally known educator; international leader of Multiculturalism in education; and an activist on issues related to children and women. Early in her career Gwen taught in the Ann Arbor Public Schools; was a U of M instructor; associate professor and, director of Affirmative Action Programs. Gwen also lectured on a national level; was Chief of minorities and women programs for the National institute of Education in Washington, D.C.; Vice President and Dean at Bank Street Graduate College of Education in New York City; President of New York City Board of Education; National Executive Director of the YWCA of USA; and, President and CEO for US Committee for UNICEF. In addition to Dr. Baker's U of M degrees she received several honorary doctorates, and other distinguished awards too numerous to mention. Gwen was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority U of M Ann Arbor chapter, and founder of the Links Ann Arbor chapter. Gwendolyn was highly service driven; having served on many corporate and non-profit boards. Additionally Gwen traveled world wide; enjoyed reading; collecting fine art; relished fine dining; loved the opera; the theatre, golfing, tennis and swimming. Wendolyn Calvert Baker thrives on challenges and succeeds at each that she faces. She has gone from teaching elementary school to teaching college; when she left teaching to pursue administrative work, Baker rose from a job in the office of a university president to become president of the U.S. Committee for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). To each of her positions, she has brought fresh insights, extensive knowledge, and skills that have won her recognition as one of the top managers in the United States. Personal Life: From humble beginnings, Calvert Baker did have her fair share in gossip and hassles in her own life. Baker took it upon herself that she would marry early in her life while continuing to pursue her passionate career. She lived a good life with three children of her own, but she did not feel content with herself, she seems to consider everyone she teaches and encounters as her broader family. Aside from work, Baker is an advent member of Christianity, and even boosted her image higher by becoming the executive director of the Young Women’s Christian Association when something blocked her from even joining 20 years ago. Despite how bright and positive she may be, Baker unfortunately divorced her husband after some time, but she is still beloved by her peers, students, and her family lineage. She especially was well known for her memoirs and advice.

Baker began her career following the traditional path taken by many women of her generation. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she married early and settled down to raise three children. She grew to feel, however, that this wasn’t enough. After three years at Bank Street College, Baker moved on again. In 1984 she became the first African American woman to be named national executive director for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). 20 years earlier, while living in Ann Arbor, Baker would not have even been able to join the YWCA. Married James Grady Baker, 1950 (divorced, 1978); children: JoAnn, James Jr., Claudia. Baker is remembered by two adult children, two grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a number of other relatives and close family friends. Baker was thought of by many who knew her well as, “A Spirited Black Woman in a White World,” as she portrays herself in her memoirs titled “A Hot Fudge Sundae in a White Paper Cup,” in which she shares her memories and experience of a lifetime spent serving and leading the causes for multicultural education.

References: -Working Woman Ebony, October 1989, p. 40. Essence, January 1994, p. 36. Jet, April 1, 1991, p. 31. Journal of Negro Education, spring 1982, p. 318. New York Times, June 11, 1991, p. B1; June 12, 1991, p. A1. Wall Street Journal, December 4, 1992, p. B1. Working Woman, December 1993, p. 46. —Robin Armstrong Awards: Willystine Goodsell Award, American Educational Research Association and Women’s Education, 1985; Old Masters Award, Purdue University, 1985; Dollars and Sense Award, 1986; named distinguished alumna, University of Michigan Education Alumni Society, 1987; Strength of the City Award, 1989; honorary degree from Medgar Evers College of the City of New York, 1990; First Tribute to Excellence in Education Award, 1991; named one of the ten “most admired women managers in America,” Working Woman, 1993. AlexanderNg12 (talk) 19:46, 29 November 2020 (UTC)ALEXANDER NG AlexanderNg12 (talk) 19:46, 29 November 2020 (UTC)AMY PARK