Born: 1932 (Waco, Texas)
Biography:
Vivienne Lucille Malone-Mayes was an accomplished American mathematician and professor. She gained recognition for her extensive research on properties of functions and methods of teaching mathematics. Born on February 10, 1932, in Waco, Texas, to Pizarro and Vera Estelle Allen Malone, she faced numerous challenges in her educational journey.
Growing up in an African-American community in the racially segregated South, Malone-Mayes encountered the limitations imposed by segregated schools. Despite these obstacles, her parents, who were both educators, instilled in her a deep love for learning and encouraged her to pursue her education wholeheartedly.
In 1948, Malone-Mayes graduated from A.J. Moore High School, and at the age of 16, she enrolled at Fisk University. It was during her time at Fisk that she shifted her focus from medicine to mathematics, inspired by the guidance of her mentors, Evelyn Boyd Granville and Lee Lorch. Granville, one of the first five African-American women to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics, played a pivotal role in shaping Malone-Mayes’ academic path.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in 1952 and her master’s degree in 1954, Malone-Mayes embarked on a teaching career. She chaired the Mathematics department at Paul Quinn College for seven years and later at Bishop College for one year. However, her passion for mathematics led her to pursue further graduate studies.
In her quest for higher education, Malone-Mayes faced the harsh reality of segregation and racial discrimination. Despite being denied admission to Baylor University due to segregationist policies, she refused to be deterred from her dreams. Malone-Mayes chose to attend summer courses at the University of Texas and persevered despite the challenges she encountered.
Undeterred by being the only African-American and female student in her class at the University of Texas, Malone-Mayes faced discrimination and exclusion from her classmates. She was not allowed to teach, attend professor Robert Lee Moore’s lectures, or join off-campus meetings held in a coffee shop that was forbidden to serve African Americans under Texas law. Despite these obstacles, she displayed tremendous resilience and wrote, My mathematical isolation was complete, emphasizing the immense faith in scholarship needed to navigate the stresses of earning a Ph.D. degree as a Black, female graduate student.
Malone-Mayes’ determination and perseverance paid off when she became the fifth African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics in the United States. Her groundbreaking achievement not only opened doors for future generations of women and people of color but also paved the way for increased diversity and inclusion in the academic field.
Throughout her career, Malone-Mayes made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. Her research delved into the intricate properties of functions, providing valuable insights and advancing the knowledge of the mathematical community. Additionally, she dedicated herself to improving mathematics education, focusing on innovative teaching methods that would engage and inspire her students.
Vivienne Malone-Mayes made a lasting impact on society through her groundbreaking accomplishments as a mathematician and her dedication to teaching. Her perseverance in the face of adversity set an inspiring example for future generations, and her contributions continue to influence the world of mathematics and academia.