On May 5, 1985, Gladys Merritt Ross, an influential African American educator and co-founder of the Phi Delta Kappa sorority for Black women educators, passed away in Stockton, California. Founded in 1923, Phi Delta Kappa was established to support and uplift African American women in the teaching profession during a time when their presence in educational leadership was heavily marginalized. Ross dedicated her life to advancing excellence in education and community service, mentoring generations of Black educators and promoting academic achievement in underserved communities. Her legacy lives on in the continued mission of the sorority she helped build.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
