Pauline Drake was born in Atlanta, Georgia. After starting her educational journey in the Spelman College Nursery School (now the Marian Wright Edelman Center), she completed E. R. Carter Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School, both in Atlanta. A commuter student during her first three years at Spelman, Pauline was an active participant in campus life. She was a member of the Glee Club, president of her sophomore class and of the student body during her senior year. An English major and secondary education and history minor, she was valedictorian of her graduating class.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in 1958, Pauline completed studies for her M.A. degree at Bowling Green State University ( Ohio). She began her career as a public school teacher in Cleveland Ohio, teaching first at John Adams High School and later at East Technical High School, where she chaired the English department.
Pauline’s involvement with the Cleveland Chapter of the National Alumnae Association led to a career opportunity at Spelman. From long-time Alumnae Secretary Ernestine Brazeal, she learned of a new position at Spelman, that of Director of Freshman Studies. The timing was just right. Nearing the completion of her doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh, Pauline was at the point of deciding whether to continue with the Cleveland School System or make a major career change.
Pauline applied for the position, was interviewed by President Albert E. Manley and other administrators, and was offered the position. She started her career at Spelman in August of 1974. She was delighted to have the opportunity to return to Spelman, a place where she had learned so much and had so many positive experiences as a student. .
During thirty-two (32) years at Spelman, Pauline held various administrative posts: faculty development coordinator, associate dean for continuing education, academic dean, interim provost, and dean of continuing education. She also taught courses in the Department of Education. Without a doubt, Pauline’s favorite work was in continuing education, a program that she developed.
At its inception in the early 1980s, the Continuing Education Program offered non-credit courses for community residents. Later the program expanded to include Elderhostel, an international program for mature adults; summer institutes for college faculty; summer and after-school programs for youth; non-credit training for employees of various organizations; and the program that now bears her name, the Pauline E. Drake (PED) Program for mature women who are beginning or returning to college with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree.
When asked about the PED Program, Pauline responded, “Working with the returning women students was my passion. To see them overcome significant obstacles to accomplish their goals was such a rewarding experience.” Now retired, her goal is still to help mature women whose educations have been interrupted receive a quality education, broaden their horizons, embrace the sisterhood and know that there is no limit to what they can achieve.
The opportunity to work and serve at her alma mater from 1974 through 2006 was a joy. During this time, she was honored with several awards: in 2002, the Alumnae Achievement Award in Education; also in 2002, the True Blue Award for Exemplary Leadership and Service; and in 2004, recognition from the Kresge HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Initiative along with other HBCU alumni donors.
