Memphis, Tennessee (September 28, 1939- February 16, 2022 age 82 yrs

Dr. Dorothy Louise Smith, professor, educator, teacher, Community activist, and a passionate advocate of quality education for all students. She taught at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and Long Beach Millikan High School. She also taught at Long Beach City College, Grossmount Community College, San Diego City College, and San Diego State University. Her courses included Writing, and Rhetoric. Smith was appointed to the Board of Education in 1981. Later, she was elected, becoming the first Black woman ever to be elected to public office in San Diego. She enjoyed writing poetry, authoring two books of her compositions, “My Face to The Rising Sun,” and “After thoughts. “Dorothy was honored with hundreds of awards and accolades. Highlights include induction into San Diego County’s Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019. She received the Monty Award as a San Diego State University distinguished alumnus in 2017. She was honored as a Remarkable Leader in Education by the University of San Diego in 2009.