Quick Facts
Biography
Dr. Beryl Elizabeth Williams (May 23, 1914 – May 7, 1999) is considered the mother of continuing education at Morgan State University, a historical black college located in Baltimore, Maryland. She was born Beryl Elizabeth Warner in Bangor, Maine. Her father was a Boston & Maine Railroad porter and her mother owned and operated a Bangor boarding house. She received her higher education at the University of Maine at Orono. In 1935, she became the first African- American to receive a bachelor's degree in mathematics. She earned her master's degree in mathematics in 1940. She received an honorary doctorate of pedagogy degree in 1972 from the same university.
From a very early age, Dr. Williams was involved in public service. At the age of seven, she played the piano at church services in jail and mental hospitals. As an adult, she continued her public service by serving on the board of the Park Heights Street Academy.
Williams taught at several southern colleges before moving to Baltimore in 1948 where she begin her career at the old Morgan College as a part-time English instructor before becoming full-time English and Mathematics instructor. Appointed first female academic dean center of Continuing Education in 1970 for Morgan State University until she retired in 1981. From 1974-1984, Dr. Williams was Vice President of the Baltimore City school board and held numerous positions with the United Methodist Church where she was also a member. Williams was apart numerous organizations some included Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Red Cross, and National Council of Negro Women. Dr. Williams died on May 7, 1999 at the age of 85.
