On the 144th Founders Day of Spelman College, the nation’s oldest historically Black college for women, the institution is paying tribute to one of its most iconic leaders: Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, a pioneering scholar, cultural advocate, and educational visionary.
In 1987, Dr. Cole made history as the first African American woman to serve as president of Spelman College. Her leadership over the next decade would catapult the institution into national prominence and usher in a new era of excellence for Black women in higher education.
“Dr. Cole, we thank you for your vision, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to Black women and education,” read a tribute posted by Because of Them We Can. “Because of you, generations of women continue to rise.”
A Legacy of Firsts
Born in 1936 in Florida, Dr. Cole began her academic journey at age 15, enrolling at Fisk University before transferring to Oberlin College, where she earned her undergraduate degree.
She later earned her master’s and Ph.D. in anthropology from Northwestern University. Before arriving at Spelman, she held faculty appointments at Washington State, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Hunter College.
As Spelman’s seventh president, Dr. Cole transformed the College’s trajectory. Under her administration:
- Spelman conducted its most successful capital campaign in history—raising $113.8 million
- The school received a record-setting $37 million gift from the DeWitt Wallace/Reader’s Digest Fund—the largest ever to an HBCU at the time
- Spelman was named the #1 regional liberal arts college in the South by U.S. News & World Report in 1992
- The Bonner Scholars Community Service Program was established with a $4 million endowment
- Spelman earned national designations in STEM education by the NSF and NASA
- The Living & Learning Center II was renamed the Johnnetta Betsch Cole Living & Learning Center in her honor
She also created vital programs like the Spelman College Mentorship Program, the International Affairs Center, and a Community Service Office, which earned a White House Point of Light designation.
Beyond the Presidency
After stepping down in 1997, Dr. Cole continued her academic and civic leadership. She served as a Presidential Distinguished Professor at Emory University and later became president of Bennett College, the only other HBCU dedicated to Black women’s education.
In 2009, Dr. Cole became director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, further cementing her influence in the worlds of art, culture, and diversity. She also chaired the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute, and in 2004, made history again as the first African American chair of the board of United Way of America.
Her work on corporate and nonprofit boards—including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Home Depot, Merck, and the National Visionary Leadership Project—demonstrates her lifelong commitment to empowering Black communities and women across industries.
Scholar, Author, Sister President
Dr. Cole is the author and editor of several acclaimed books including Conversations: Straight Talk with America’s Sister President and Gender Talk: The Struggle for Women’s Equality in African American Communities. Through her writing and speaking, she has continued to inspire dialogue on race, gender, and justice in America.
Today, she is celebrated not only for her historic firsts but for her enduring impact. As Spelman marks 144 years of shaping Black women scholars, Dr. Cole stands as a timeless reminder that bold leadership rooted in love, community, and courage can change the world.
“Dream the boldest dream,” she once wrote. And under her leadership, Spelman did exactly that.
To learn more about Spelman College’s legacy or explore Dr. Cole’s contributions, visit Spelman.edu.
