Dillard University mourns the passing of Dr. Gloria Wade-Gayles, former Eminent Scholar Chair at Dillard University, whose life and legacy stand as a testament to the transformative power of scholarship, activism, and service. Dr. Wade-Gayles, a trailblazing scholar of African American literature and women’s studies, died at the age of 88.
Dr. Wade-Gayles served as Eminent Scholar at Dillard University during the 1990s, where her presence enriched the intellectual life of the University and strengthened Dillard’s commitment to humanities scholarship grounded in social justice. Her work embodied the very mission of Dillard—educating students to lead with purpose, conscience, and cultural awareness.
“Dr. Gloria Wade-Gayles was a scholar of extraordinary depth and courage whose life’s work reflected an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the elevation of Black women’s voices,” said Dr. Monique Guillory, President of Dillard University. “We are honored that she shared her brilliance with Dillard University as an Eminent Scholar, and we join the academic community in celebrating a life that forever changed the landscape of African American literature and women’s studies.”
Born July 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Bertha and Robert Wade, Dr. Wade-Gayles became one of the most influential voices in comparative women’s studies and African American literary criticism. She earned her B.A. in English from LeMoyne College in 1959, her M.A. in American literature from Boston University in 1962 as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and later her Ph.D. in American studies from Emory University in 1981.
Her academic career began at Spelman College in 1963, where she taught American literature before being dismissed due to her civil rights activism. Undeterred, she participated in Freedom Summer in 1964 and later joined the faculty at Howard University, followed by the Atlanta University Center. In 1983, she returned to Spelman College as a professor of English and women’s studies, where she would leave an indelible mark over the next four decades.
Dr. Wade-Gayles’ scholarship included seminal works such as No Crystal Stair: Visions of Race and Sex in Black Women’s Fiction (1984), Pushed Back to Strength: A Black Woman’s Journey Home (1993), and My Soul Is a Witness’: African-American Women’s Spirituality (1995). Her writings amplified the voices, spiritual lives, and lived experiences of Black women, reshaping the canon of American literary studies.
Her distinguished career was recognized with numerous honors, including Georgia’s Professor of the Year Award, Spelman College’s Presidential Award for Scholarship, the Emory Medal, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, and the Malcolm X Award for Community Service. She also served as a DuBois Fellow at Harvard University and held Eminent Scholar Chairs at both Spelman College and Dillard University.
For Dr. Gloria Wade-Gayles, scholarship and activism were inseparable. Her life’s work demonstrated that education is not only a pursuit of knowledge, but a powerful instrument for liberation and justice.
Dillard University extends its deepest condolences to her family, colleagues, former students, and all whose lives were shaped by her remarkable legacy.
