10/17/2025
On this day in 1921, Eva Beatrice D***s became the first Black woman to fulfill the requirements for a doctoral degree and the third to be awarded a Ph.D., earning her doctorate from Radcliffe College, the women’s counterpart to Harvard University. Her achievement marked a milestone not only in academia but also in the long struggle for equality and recognition of Black intellectual excellence in America.
Born in Washington, D.C., D***s attended the renowned M Street High School (later Dunbar High School), known for producing some of the nation’s most distinguished Black scholars. She went on to graduate summa cm laude from Howard University in 1914, following in the footsteps of several family members who also studied there. While at Howard, she became a proud member of the Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., continuing her lifelong dedication to scholarship and service.
After earning her Ph.D. in English from Radcliffe, D***s returned to Washington to teach at Dunbar High School, where her passion for literature and learning inspired a generation of students. In 1929, she rejoined Howard University as a professor of English, where she would teach for 15 years, earning numerous awards for her excellence in education and mentorship.
Her academic work reflected both brilliance and purpose. She co-authored Readings from Negro Authors for Schools and Colleges with Lorenzo Dow Turner and Otelia Cromwell, and published The Negro in English Romantic Thought: Or a Study in Sympathy for the Oppressed — a groundbreaking analysis that connected literary expression with social justice.
Eva Beatrice D***s not only broke barriers — she built bridges for those who came after her. Her legacy endures as a beacon of intellectual courage, perseverance, and the transformative power of education. 📚🌟
