Mary Godfrey

Mary Emmeline Godfrey (3 July 1913 - 30 April 2007) was an artist and art educator who became the first full-time African-American faculty member at Penn State University. She was hired in 1957 and served as an assistant professor of art education until her retirement in 1979. Godfrey earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Pratt Institute and a master's degree from Columbia University, and worked as the assistant state supervisor of art education for the Virginia Department of Education. In 1957, Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld, head of the newly formed Department of Art Education, College of Education, at The Pennsylvania State University, hired Godfrey as assistant professor of art education. She served for 22 years, teaching courses in elementary and secondary art education, supervision, the history of art education, and introduction to crafts. She researched the design of art classrooms, studying Pennsylvania art education laboratories, art rooms, and facilities for junior high schools. Her artwork was exhibited in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. Early life Mary Godfrey was born on July 3, 1913, in the small southern town of Charlotte Court House, Virginia, and was one of eight children of Henry B. Godfrey and Louise (née Reid) Godfrey. During an interview Godfrey states she was born in New York City. Godfrey's family maintained a farm in Charlotte Court House and a residence in New York City, where her father had established a business.