Dr. Flossie M. Byrd (August 8, 1927 – March 17, 2020)
Born in Sarasota, Florida, the eldest of 17 children, Dr. Byrd was the valedictorian of her 1944 high school class. She earned degrees at Florida A&M University (FAMU), Pennsylvania State University, and Cornell University. She served the Home Economics (Family and Consumer Sciences) profession as a high school teacher, university professor, and university administrator. In addition to her time as a professor at FAMU, she was Dean of the College of Home Economics and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Prairie View A&M University.
Dr. Juanita Mae Fisher Strawn (July 22, 1923 - December 30, 2021)
The retired Division Director of Human Ecology and Social and Environmental Studies at Hampton University, Dr. Strawn was the first African American President of the Virginia Home Economics Association. She was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Home Economics from Virginia State College (now known as Virginia State University). Her Ph.D. was conferred at The Ohio State University.
Dr. Gwendolyn Sneed O'Neal (1946 -June 12, 2024)
Dr. O’Neal served on the faculty at Bennett, Kansas State University, Alabama A&M, and later as a professor and head of the department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail studies at UNCG. She served as president of the International Textiles and Apparel Association, her major professional organization, and two terms as Vice President for Planning. She also served as President of the National Coalition for Black Development in Home Economics. In November 2003, Dr. O’Neal was designated a Fellow of the International Textile and Apparel Association -- the highest honor bestowed by that organization. Prior to coming to UNC, Greensboro, O’Neal served for six years as Professor and Head, Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design, Kansas State University. A member of four academic honor societies (Omicron Nu, Kappa Omicron Phi, Phi Upsilon Omicron and Phi Kappa Phi).
Deria Foster Moore (August 2, 1927 - April 22, 2024)
Mrs. Moore was a founding member of National Coalition for Black Development in Home Economics where she served for many years. Mrs. Moore was also a professional dietitian/nutritionist serving in both therapeutic and government service for over 30 years.
Dr. Eva Mae Brown Fields (August 30, 1927 - October 29, 2024)
Dr. Fields was born in Oxford, LA. She graduated from DeSoto Parish Training School in Mansfield, LA, in the Spring of 1945. In the Fall of that year, she began matriculation at Southern University and A&M College where she earned a degree in Home Economics in 1949. She earned both her master’s degree and PhD from Iowa State University, the latter in 1973. She taught at the secondary level prior to her tenure in higher education. She was an educator for a total of 62 years, most of those years at Southern University and A&M College where she was a faculty member, Program Leader and Chair, concentrating in family and early childhood education.
If you desire to contribute to the National Coalition for Black Development in FCS (NCBDFCS) in memory of these—or other—stalwarts in the profession please contact the treasurer, Mr. Derrick Fogg, at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the NCBDFCS.