What's the name of the first black woman to get a PhD?

In 1921, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander became the first black woman in the U.S. to obtain a Ph.D. Despite her academic achievements, she had difficulty finding employment in Philadelphia and went to work for the black-owned North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company in Durham, remaining there for two years. In 1923, shortly after Raymond Alexander was admitted to the Bar and opened his practice, she returned to Philadelphia to be married. The following year, in the fall of 1924, she entered the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She became the first black woman to graduate from that institution and the first black woman admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1927.

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

44 Comments

Stevie G

WRONG ANSWER: Georgiana Rose Simpson (1865–1944) was a philologist and the first African-American woman to receive a PhD in the United States. Simpson received her doctoral degree in German from the University of Chicago in 1921. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgiana_Simpson) This is from your own link: In 1921 Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander became the second African-American woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadie_Tanner_Mossell_Alexander)

Pierre Poirier

In the US. But in the world ?

Samson

I got it right too, but wouldn't necessarily call it a No Brainer. I don't know who Donyale is.

marilynmitri

I have to admit I picked the longest name. It sounded like she was proud of who she was.

Cheryl Love

This is wrong. It was Georgiana Rose Simpson!

steve

At best, this answer is disputable. Georgiana Rose Simpson received her PhD in German on June 14, 1921. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was the subject of a newspaper article on June 15, 1921, stating that she had been awarded her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.

Missym

Georgiana Rose Simpson is the right answer

revpa

Georgiana Rose Simpson - 1st black women to get PhD

Terry Cannon

WRONG ANSWER: Georgiana Rose Simpson (1865–1944) was a philologist and the first African-American woman to receive a PhD in the United States. Simpson received her doctoral degree in German from the University of Chicago in 1921. Later that same year in 1921. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander became the second African-American woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D.