The next time you find yourself on the second floor of the Wright Education Building, you’ll see two new portraits of Martha Dawson and Elder Watson Diggs.

Martha Dawson joined the Indiana University School of Education faculty in 1970 and became the first African American woman to receive tenure at Indiana University Bloomington. Dawson’s portrait was painted by artist Dianna Porter.

Elder Watson Diggs became the first African American to graduate with a degree from the Indiana University School of Education in 1916. While at IU, Diggs and nine other African American students founded Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in 1911.The portrait of Diggs was painted by artist Shawn Michael Warren.

The portraits are an important step to recognizing those who contributed in a meaningful way to the School of Education.

“I want faculty, staff, students and visitors to come to the building and feel anchored, to feel inspired and to feel connected when they (see these portraits),” said Carl Darnell, assistant dean for Diversity, Equit y, and Inclusion.

Several staff, student and faculty members shared some reflections on what it personally means for them to see these portraits in the building:

“Seeing both of these beautiful portraits in the School of Education means perseverance, endurance, and representation. These scholars opened the door and paved the way for future underrepresented students to see the possibilities are endless.”

Nancy Boatner, Implementation Manager, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

“As a Black woman in the School of Education, seeing Martha Dawson and Elder Watson Diggs' portraits in the hallways will serve as an inspiration to me. It's hard to not get discouraged when you don't see many people who look like you in your classes, but their portraits will serve as a reminder that I am not the first, nor will I be the last, to walk these halls and get my degree!”

Kanyia Harper-Funnye, Elementary Education Major

Seeing the portraits of Martha Dawson and Elder Watson Diggs hanging in the IU School of Education holds significant meaning for me on several levels. Firstly, it serves as a powerful reminder of the rich history and legacy of Indiana University, particularly in terms of diversity and inclusion.

Martha Dawson and Elder Watson Diggs were both trailblazers in their respective fields, making remarkable contributions to education and society. Martha Dawson, as the first African American woman to become a tenured member of Indiana University, shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations of faculty and staff of color. Her achievements symbolize resilience, determination, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Likewise, Elder Watson Diggs, a distinguished educator and one of the founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., exemplified excellence and leadership in education. His commitment to academic excellence and community service left an indelible mark on IU and beyond.

Seeing their portraits prominently displayed in the School of Education serves as a constant reminder of the importance of representation and diversity in academia. It reinforces the notion that everyone, regardless of race or background, has the potential to make significant contributions to education and society as a whole. Moreover, their portraits serve as an inspiration to current and future students, particularly those from underrepresented communities. It sends a powerful message that they belong and that their voices and contributions are valued and celebrated.

In essence, seeing the portraits of Martha Dawson and Elder Watson Diggs hanging in the IU School of Education fills me with a sense of pride, gratitude, and motivation. It reminds me of the progress we've made in terms of diversity and inclusion while also highlighting the work that still needs to be done to create a more equitable and just society.

Lindsey Arnold, Director of Enrollment Management

In 1970, Dr. Martha E. Dawson (IUB c/o ‘54 & ‘56) became the first Black woman faculty member, as well as the first Black woman faculty member with tenure, at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB). After years of groundbreaking work in multicultural education, including pedagogical innovations that would lead to IUB programs like Global Gateway for Teachers (i.e. culturally sensitive teaching experiences among Urban, Navajo Nation, and Overseas students), Dawson left IUB the same year I was born—1977. When I think about the resplendent portrait of her that will now be displayed in the School of Education to honor Dr. Dawson’s life and expertise, I wish she could tell me about her seven-year faculty experience at IUB in the School of Education. Also, how does today’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus echo the Black faculty and staff network of Dawson’s years? Similarly, the poised portrait of our first Black School of Education graduate also invites thought about what a conversation with preeminent educator Elder Watson Diggs (IUB c/o ‘16 & ‘44) might illuminate today, whether we were to meet up at Diggs School 42 in Indianapolis or connect during a Kappa Alpha Psi event on campus. Each of these two immortal portraits, in other words, now provides the School of Education, Indiana University, the state of Indiana, and all willing individuals with the perfect occasion to (re)consider our own relationship to these Black human beings’ lives and legacies. Such (re)considerations could interweave frayed storylines, illuminate countless answers, and incline us to ask innumerable questions. When I look at these two canvases in the School of Education, I see portraits of our past with living colors and living questions. One living question that looks back at us today from Dawson’s and Diggs’ portrait is this: Which racial future do we want now?

Marcus Croom, Assistant Professor