Mamie Phipps Clark

Pioneering psychologist whose research on racial identity in children influenced the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.

Mamie Phipps Clark (1917–1983) was an American social psychologist whose groundbreaking work on racial identity and self-perception in African American children played a pivotal role in dismantling segregation in U.S. schools. Her research, conducted alongside her husband Kenneth Clark, provided critical evidence in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Clark's most famous contribution was the "Doll Test", an experiment that examined how Black children perceived race. The study revealed that segregation caused children to internalize racism, leading to feelings of inferiority. This work challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine and became a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement.

Despite facing gender and racial barriers, Clark co-founded the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem, which provided psychological services to underserved communities. Her advocacy for intersectional approaches to psychology and education continues to inspire modern social justice initiatives.

Learn more about her legacy at the American Psychological Association.