Early Life
Newson was born on June 12, 1914, in Shelby, Mississippi. Her father, David Newson, was a Methodist minister and her mother, Mattie Winston Newson, was a teacher. Newson attended public schools in Shelby and graduated from high school in 1931.
Education
After high school, Newson enrolled at Tougaloo College, a historically black college in Mississippi. She graduated from Tougaloo with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1935.
Newson then went on to the University of Michigan, where she earned a master's degree in mathematics in 1937. She continued her studies at Michigan and received her Ph.D. in mathematics in 1943. Newson's dissertation was titled "The Construction of a Normal Surface in Four-Space".
Career
After completing her Ph.D., Newson began teaching mathematics at Howard University in 1943. She taught at Howard for 26 years, until she retired in 1969.
During her time at Howard, Newson was a highly respected professor and mentor to many students. She was also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Mathematical Society, the National Association of Mathematicians, and the Association for Women in Mathematics.
Newson was also active in the civil rights movement. She was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and participated in several civil rights demonstrations.
Awards and Recognition
Mary Frances Winston Newson's contributions to mathematics and education were recognized by several awards and honors:
- In 1943, she received the Candace Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women for her achievements as a Black woman mathematician.
- In 1950, she became a charter member of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM).
- In 1975, Howard University awarded Newson an honorary doctorate of science degree during its 100th commencement ceremony.
- In 1980, she received the Margaret S. Rossiter Medal for Distinguished Achievement by a Senior Woman Scientist or Engineer from the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries.
- In 1984, she was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
- In 1985, the Association for Women in Mathematics began offering the Mary Winston Newson Award to outstanding undergraduate women who intended to pursue careers in mathematics.
- In 1986, she received the Distinguished Service and Contributions to Mathematics Education award from the National Association of Mathematics Educators of Two-Year Colleges (NAME-TYC) for her contributions to promoting equity in mathematical education.
- In 1988, she was honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the National Black Mathematics Association (NBMA) for her "dedication to the improvement of mathematics education in America."
- In 1991, Tougaloo College dedicated the Mary Frances Winston Newson Mathematics and Technology Center in her honor.
Newson died on August 15, 1986, in Washington, D.C. She was 72 years old.
Legacy
Mary Frances Winston Newson was a remarkable mathematician and educator who made significant contributions to both fields. She was an inspiration to many students and a role model for African American women in mathematics and science.