Georgiana R. Simpson became the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. in the United States on June 14, 1921. Simpson had to overcome several obstacles as a student but was not discouraged and remained at the University of Chicago earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and a doctorate in German Romanticism. Simpson was one of three African American women to earn a doctorate in 1921. She was followed within weeks by two scholars at other universities. All three women previously attended a secondary school in Washington, D.C. which was considered the center of black intellectual life during this time.
Once she enrolled, Simpson chose to live in a dormitory on campus which led to a protest from several southern white women who lived in the Green Hall dormitory. Although, the women’s dean decided Simpson could stay the university's president overruled the dean's decision which forced Simpson to move off-campus.
Despite her educational achievements, Simpson was barred from employment at many institutions. Simpson briefly lived and studied in France as she traveled extensively throughout European countries and devoted considerable time to the study of German and French. She would return to Washington, D.C. where she taught at Dunbar High School before becoming a professor at Howard University. Though she remained interested in German studies, she felt it was also important to contributed scholarship on Black subjects which allowed her to reinvest in black communities that had contributed to her success.
A quote from a letter written in August 1907 to Univ. of Chicago President Harry Pratt Judson from Activist and Writer Celia Parker Wooley:
Wooley urged Judson to reverse his “deplorable” decision, noting that African American students at the University of Chicago like Simpson were also “southerners” who deserved to have their rights and feelings considered.
We understand that your action in this matter was based upon the consideration of the feeling of southern (white) students. We respectfully submit that nearly every colored young man and woman seeking the benefits of your institution is "a southern" student.