Founders Day 2009

This year Spelman recognizes Founders Spirit Award recipient Shirley Larkins Green, M.D., C'58, and honorary degree recipient Mary McKinney Edmonds, Ph.D., C’53.

The Founders Spirit award is presented to an alumna whose life and works are representative of the spirit and determination of the founders of Spelman College.  It is awarded to an alumna who graduated 51 years+.

Founders Spirit Award Recipient
Shirley Larkins Green, M.D., C’58
Dr. Shirley Larkins Green grew up in Texas, destined to attend Spelman College as did her mother, two aunts and all four of her sisters, Jacqueline Larkins Crook, C'48, Lyda Larkins Stivers, C'49, Otha Anne Larkins, C'54, and Josephine Larkins Pattillo. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Spelman, she went on to earn a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. While at Meharry, she marched with other students in downtown Nashville and stood-in at a movie theatre as part of the nonviolent campaign to end racial segregation. It was also at Meharry that she met the young man who was to become her husband, Albert J. Green, M.D. Dr. Green and her husband traveled on four continents together, including serving in the Peace Corps with their children in Senegal, West Africa. Throughout her illustrious career in healthcare, Dr. Green has served over forty-six years in various capacities as a staff anesthesiologist for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Brooklyn, New York and Oakland, California area hospitals, and as part of a medical mission to the Philippines, to name just a few. Based in California, Dr. Green is board certified and serves on the Board of Directors for the Estudillo Hospital Corporation and San Leandro Surgery Center, as she has done for the last twenty-nine years. Dr. Green, now a widow, enjoys her four sons, one daughter, Judith Michelle Green Dones, C'93, and her precious grandchildren. She hopes to travel to the other three continents in the future. Dedicated to her family, her career and Spelman, Dr. Green is a true blue example of a Spelman woman.

Mary McKinney Edmonds, Ph.D., C’53
Speaker & Honorary Degree Recipient
Dr. Mary McKinney Edmonds began her scholarly pursuits following in her mother’s footsteps, graduating from Spelman with an A.B. degree in biology along with her twin sister, Virginia Ruth. Dr. Edmonds went on to earn a post graduate certificate in physical therapy from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a master of science in health studies from Case Western Reserve University. She then earned a Ph.D. in sociology with a specialization in medical sociology and social gerontology from Case Western. Dr. Edmonds has shared a lifelong commitment to aid the human cause as a practitioner, academician and administrator. She began her career as a staff physical therapist at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio and several other Ohio area hospitals. She moved through the ranks to become a member of the faculty at Case Western Reserve University, paved the way as the founding director of the physical therapy program at Cleveland State University, became the Dean of the College of Health and Community Sciences and later Vice President for Student Affairs at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Edmonds accepted the offer to become Vice Provost and Dean for Student Affairs at Stanford University, and became the highest ranking African American administrator in Stanford’s history. During this time she also served on the faculty at Stanford University Medical School and further served as Special Assistant to the Provost before retiring. Dr. Edmonds’ career is full of publishing in professional journals, presenting professional papers, executing important research and grant programs, and serving on many boards while also receiving several honorary degrees and numerous awards and honors. Upon her retirement, Dr. Edmonds returned home to her alma mater to serve as special assistant to the President under Dr. Audrey Forbes Manley, C’55, her Spelman “big sister” – one of her proudest moments. She beams with pride for her dear daughter, Jacque Edmonds Cofer, and for the establishment of the Dr. Mary Edmonds and Jacque Edmonds Nontsikelelo Primary School in East London, South Africa. Dr. Edmonds is happily retired in Henderson, Nevada and enjoys her family, traveling and community involvement.

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