Johnnie Ruth Clarke

Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke (born July 28, 1919, died May 15, 1978) was an American activist, teacher, and humanitarian.[1] She was a participating member of many different societies and has been credited as the first African-American to obtain a doctorate from the University of Florida's College of Education. She served as dean of Gibbs Junior College and as assistant dean of academic affairs at St. Petersburg Junior College, which offers a scholarship in her name. The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center was also named after her.

Johnnie Ruth Clarke
BornJuly 28, 1919
St. Petersburg, Florida
DiedMay 15, 1978
EducationFlorida A&M University, University of Florida
OccupationEducator
Spouse(s)Dr. Johnny L. Clarke
ChildrenDr. Christopher Clarke, J.L. Michael Clarke, Judge Cathleen Clarke, Peter Clarke, Paula Clarke
Parent(s)John Hall

Early life and education

Her father was the head bellman and her mother was the head housekeeper at the Soreno Hotel.

Johnnie Ruth Clarke got her bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University in Social Science and then went on to receive a master's degree from Fisk University.[2] In 1966, Clarke became the first African American to obtain a doctorate from any Florida public university and in particular the University of Florida College of Education.[3]

Recognition

St. Petersburg College set up a scholarship in her name.[4] The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center was also named after her.[5]

Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center (St. Petersburg , FL)

Originating from Mercy Hospital, now a historical landmark in St. Petersburg, the Johnnie Ruth Clarke (JRC) Health Center is located at 1344 22nd St. South St. Petersburg, Florida and officially opened in 2004 as a Federally Qualified Health Center.[6] The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center is historically known for its efforts in aiding segregated African-American communities in St. Petersburg who could not afford medical attention or medical insurance.[7] Now being one out of eleven nonprofit health centers associated with the Community Health Centers of Pinellas, the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center was built around the original building of the Mercy Hospital, which was the first and only facility that delivered affordable health care for non insured African-American residents until 1966.[6] Today, the original building of the Mercy Hospital and the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center oversee between 130 to 150 patients daily with or without health insurance, attributed by the civil rights activist Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke and the Community Health Centers of Pinellas, Inc.[6]

Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship - St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College honors Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke's renowned accomplishments by awarding the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship to students graduating from Pinellas County high schools.[3] This scholarship aims to support underprivileged students, who meet the eligibility requirements, and will accommodate each recipient for two consecutive years attending St. Petersburg College.[3] Throughout their collegiate years, each recipient will also be given the opportunity to work with mentors from the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA).[3]

The Florida State Sickle Cell Foundation

She founded the Florida State Sickle Cell Foundation in 1972[8] while she was assistant director of the Florida Regional Medical Program. The foundation was intended to tackle all aspects of the problem of sickle-cell disease including raising awareness, treatment and research.[9]

References
  1. St. Petersburg College. "St. Petersburg College Dr. Johnnie Ruth Clarke Chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  2. "St. Petersburg College Johnnie Ruth Clarke honorees". St. Petersburg College news. August 16, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  3. "Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship". go.spcollege.edu. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  4. "Dr Johnnie Ruth Clarke". St Petersburg College. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  5. Wilson, Jon; Rosalie Peck. St. Petersburg's Historic African American Neighborhoods.
  6. "St. Pete Health center still 'important medical home' with link to past". TBO.com. November 1, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  7. Admin, Web. "History". www.chcpinellas.org. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  8. "Sickle Cell Association of Florida, Incorporated". Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  9. "St Petersburg Times". Retrieved April 19, 2014.
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