Educator, Author, Civil Rights Pioneer. Vernie Merz Tate was born the daughter of Charles and Myrtle (Lett) Tate in Blanchard, Michigan. She began her education in a one-room school house and finished the tenth grade. Further schooling was not available in Blanchard, so she moved to Battle Creek, Michigan to complete her high school education. In 1927 Tate became the first African American to graduate from Western State Teachers College (now Western Michigan University) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She further distinguished herself by completing her degree in three years, and earning the highest scholastic record at the college. In the 1920s, Michigan would not employ African American teachers in Secondary Schools. She accepted a teaching position at the Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, were she remained for five years. During her summer breaks she traveled to Columbia University, where she earned her Master's Degree in 1930. In 1932 she fulfilled a lifetime ambition by moving to England and enrolling in Oxford University. Tate studied economics, diplomatic history and international law. In 1935 she received a Bachelor's Degree from Oxford, the first Black American to do so. She joined the faculty at Barber-Scotia College in North Carolina, and later was employed at what is now Morgan State University. Tate made history again in 1941 by becoming the first African American woman to earn a Doctorate from Harvard. During World War II she volunteered to help prepare military officers for European duty by training them in the French and German languages and culture. In 1942 she joined the faculty at Howard University in Washington DC, where she remained until her retirement in 1977. During her tenure at Howard, she authored seven books, taught abroad as a Fulbright scholar, and became a recognized expert in International Relations. In 1964 she survived a knife attack by a deranged assailant, requiring several months to recuperate from her injuries. While her body had been grievously injured, her spirit remained positive after the event. Following retirement she continued to lecture and write. Having been born among the pine forests of Northern Michigan, upon her death Dr. Tate's body was returned to her home town of Blanchard Michigan where she was buried in a pine coffin.
Educator, Author, Civil Rights Pioneer. Vernie Merz Tate was born the daughter of Charles and Myrtle (Lett) Tate in Blanchard, Michigan. She began her education in a one-room school house and finished the tenth grade. Further schooling was not available in Blanchard, so she moved to Battle Creek, Michigan to complete her high school education. In 1927 Tate became the first African American to graduate from Western State Teachers College (now Western Michigan University) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She further distinguished herself by completing her degree in three years, and earning the highest scholastic record at the college. In the 1920s, Michigan would not employ African American teachers in Secondary Schools. She accepted a teaching position at the Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, were she remained for five years. During her summer breaks she traveled to Columbia University, where she earned her Master's Degree in 1930. In 1932 she fulfilled a lifetime ambition by moving to England and enrolling in Oxford University. Tate studied economics, diplomatic history and international law. In 1935 she received a Bachelor's Degree from Oxford, the first Black American to do so. She joined the faculty at Barber-Scotia College in North Carolina, and later was employed at what is now Morgan State University. Tate made history again in 1941 by becoming the first African American woman to earn a Doctorate from Harvard. During World War II she volunteered to help prepare military officers for European duty by training them in the French and German languages and culture. In 1942 she joined the faculty at Howard University in Washington DC, where she remained until her retirement in 1977. During her tenure at Howard, she authored seven books, taught abroad as a Fulbright scholar, and became a recognized expert in International Relations. In 1964 she survived a knife attack by a deranged assailant, requiring several months to recuperate from her injuries. While her body had been grievously injured, her spirit remained positive after the event. Following retirement she continued to lecture and write. Having been born among the pine forests of Northern Michigan, upon her death Dr. Tate's body was returned to her home town of Blanchard Michigan where she was buried in a pine coffin.
Bio by: Ernest
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