Gladys Jennings is a pioneering nutritionist and the first Black woman to earn a master’s degree at WSU. The Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology has an opportunity to honor the groundbreaking alum.
About Gladys
Gladys was the first woman of color to earn a master’s degree from WSU in 1948, and she served as a nutrition faculty member from 1966 to 1991.
Gladys had a rich career in nutrition sciences including a Fulbright Fellowship at the University of London, teaching at Syracuse University as well as North Carolina Central University, and serving as Chair of the Home Economics Department at Spelman College in Atlanta. She later returned to WSU as an associate professor of foods and nutrition. In this position, Gladys conducted research on improving the dietary habits of Africans and African Americans. Gladys also helped develop WSU’s first Black Studies courses. Gladys’ academic, volunteer, and mentorship achievements have led to her receiving numerous professional and service award honors.
About the scholarship
For Gladys’ upcoming 97th birthday, the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology would like to honor her by fully endowing the Gladys E. Cooper Jennings Student Scholarship Fund. $26,250 is needed to fully endow a scholarship and the college has raised $17,000 so far—that means we have $9,250 to go!
We hope you will consider a gift to help us wish Gladys a happy birthday and honor all that she has accomplished in the field of nutrition and exercise physiology.