Dr. Joan Edair Wallace

Joan Edair Scott Wallace was born in Chicago, Illinois to William Edouard Scott and Esther Fulks Scott on November 8, 1930. She attended Englewood High School and graduated in 1948 as Salutatorian. In 1952, Joan graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelors degree in Sociology and went on to earn her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University in 1954. In 1973, Joan completed her Doctorate at Northwestern University studying Experimental Social Psychology. In 1954, Joan married John H. Wallace, with whom she would have three sons, Mark until his death in April 2015 (Mary), Eric (Jennifer) and Victor (Karen). Three grandchildren Eric, Gregory and Jahanah. Two great-grandchildren Ja’Mayah and J’Vaire. In 1979, she married Pastor and activist Maurice Dawkins and the two remained married until his death in 2001. In 2003, Joan remarried her first husband John Wallace and remained married to John until his death in June 2016. Joan loved to spend time with her family and friends. She really enjoyed listening to music and she had a few dance moves as well. Joan was also a member of a bridge club. Joan worked in several universities. From 1967 to 1973, Joan held the position of Associate Professor of Psychology and Social Work and the Director of Undergraduate School of Social Work and Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. While on leave from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1970, she was Director of Afro American Studies and Associate Professor of Sociology and Psychology at Barat College. In 1973, Joan was Dean of Howard University’s School of Social Work. From 1975 to 1976, she served as the Deputy Executive Director of Programs of the National Urban League. For the next year, Joan was the Vice President of Administration at Morgan State University before becoming Director of Western Michigan School of Social Work in 1977. In 1977, Joan was appointed by President Carter to be Assistant Secretary for Administration of the Department of Agriculture, she would be the first African-American and the third woman to hold that position. She served until 1981, after which she represented the United States on the Board of Directors of international Cooperation and Development. In 1989, President George HW Bush appointed her to the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) Diplomatic Representative in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which she held until 1993. Retiring from government work in 1995, Joan then became chairman of Americans for democracy in Africa. In 1999, Joan went to Florida International University as Professor and Associate Director of the School of Social Work. In 2000, Joan served as Commissioner of Volunteer Florida, the Governors Commission of Community Service. Joan Wallace has earned honorary degrees from University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Bowie State College and Alabama A&M University.

Tributes

Dr. Joan Edair Wallace

November 8, 1930 - March 15, 2018