President of the Michigan Women’s Studies Association and executive director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center
Dr. Gladys Beckwith works diligently at making sure that the public understands the role that Michigan women have made in society. She currently serves as the President of the Michigan Women’s Studies Association and executive director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center.
Dr. Beckwith was born as an only child in Flint, Michigan. She holds a B.A and M.A. in English and a Ph.D. in education from Michigan State University (MSU).
In 1967, Dr. Beckwith joined the faculty at MSU in the Department of American Thought and Language, now Writing, Rhetoric and American Culture.
Dr. Beckwith was one of the founders of the Michigan Women’s Studies Association, the first of its kind in the nation and parent organization of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame. The Center, located in the historic Cooley Haze House in downtown Lansing, is dedicated to giving recognition to the achievements of Michigan women. The Hall of Fame Gallery recognizes more than 200 Michigan women who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Also the Belen Gallery displays the work of Michigan women poets, artists, quilters and photographers.
At 77, Dr. Beckwith still has a active role in preserving women’s history in Michigan. She still serves as the President of the Michigan Women’s Studies Association and Director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame.
Dr. Beckwith served on the Lansing Board of Education for 18 years.
In 1996, she was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Community Service given by MSU. In 1998, the Michigan Women’s Foundation presented her with the Women of Achievement and Courage Award in 2005, the Detroit News named her one of twelve, “Michiganians of the Year”.
Her early role models were her mother and Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Dr. Beckwith was married to Gerald Beckwith (deceased) and she is the mother of one daughter who resides in Los Angeles.
