A Georgia Groundbreaker

Through her courage and determination, Mary Frances Early has made an indelible mark on UGA, and we are pleased to honor her legacy and lifetime accomplishments as a music educator and civil rights icon.

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Actions that Resonate Making History Honor Mary Frances Early Commit to Education A Trailblazing Timeline Impact and Legacy Thank You, Donors! Questions About Giving?

Actions that Resonate

Aderhold Hall received several updates to commemorate the naming of the College in honor of Mary Frances Early. These updates, which are featured in the video above, include an interactive timeline of Early’s life, a display case featuring her personal belongings, her select honors and awards, and more.

Making History

Mary Frances Early (M.M.Ed. '62, Ed.S. '67) played an integral role in the campaign for racial equality that helped open the doors for generations of students at the University of Georgia. Her triumph as the first African American graduate of UGA made her a central figure in the struggle to desegregate the University and serves as an example to all.

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Honor Mary Frances Early

The Mary Frances Early College of Education Endowment supports the College by addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and funding scholarships for students.

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Commit to Education

With approximately 4,000 students enrolled each year, the University of Georgia College of Education prepares students to create change and improve lives in areas such as teacher preparation, counseling, communication sciences and disorders, exercise science, and more.

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A Trailblazing Timeline

Naming the College of Education for Mary Frances Early honors her long career as an educator and advocate. Born in Atlanta in 1936, she graduated as the valedictorian of Turner High School in Atlanta in 1953. Here are some select accomplishments from throughout her life.

1961

As a master's student at the University of Michigan, Early is inspired by the violence surrounding Charlayne Hunter's and Hamilton Holmes' integration of the University of Georgia. She begins the process to transfer to UGA.

1962

Early graduates from the University of Georgia with a master's in music education and becomes the first African American graduate of UGA.

1967

Early graduates from UGA with her educational specialist degree.

2013

During Spring Commencement, Early receives an honorary doctorate of law degree from UGA President Michael Adams.

2018

Early receives the UGA President's Medal from President Jere Morehead and her portrait is unveiled in the Administration Building.

2018

Documentary about Early's life, "The Quiet Trailblazer," premieres on Georgia Public Broadcasting; the film was produced by Maurice Daniels and includes interviews with U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Lonnie King, Michael Thurmond and others.

Naming Ceremony and Lecture

On Feb. 25, 2020, we celebrated the naming of the University of Georgia College of Education in honor of Mary Frances Early.

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The Quiet Trailblazer

Mary Frances Early's autobiography, The Quiet Trailblazer, recounts her life from her childhood in Atlanta, her growing interest in music, and her awakening to the injustices of racism in the Jim Crow South.

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In the News

Mary Frances Early remains a tireless advocate for racial equality and music education. In 2022, she celebrated the 60th anniversary of her graduation from UGA.

Stay up to date with Early

Impact and Legacy

During the College's naming campaign, the University of Georgia produced a video to highlight Mary Frances Early’s impact and legacy. View the video above to learn more about her tireless advocacy for racial equality and access to music education for all.

"We have to activate ourselves and take on the responsibility to help make this world the kind of place it can be." Mary Frances Early

Thank You, Donors!

Groundbreaker Society

$250,000 – $1 million+

Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.
Kathy Prescott and Grady Thrasher
President's Venture Fund and The UGA Foundation
Southern Company Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Trailblazers

$25,000 – $249,999

Ada Lee and Pete Correll

Lyn and Larry Kirkland

David F. and Diana Mack

Steve Oliver

RISE (Retirees In Support of Education)

Pathfinders

$10,000 – $24,999

Anonymous
Nancy Beare Juneau and Leston Juneau
Monica and John Pearson
Peter Smagorinsky

Champions

$1,500 – $9,999

Friends

$1 – $1,499

Questions About Giving?

Email the College of Education's Office of Development & Alumni Relations team or call 706-542-2893.