Malone-Mayes, Vivienne Lucille, 1932-995

• Vivienne Mayes

Vivienne Lucille Malone, the daughter of Pizarro and Vera Estelle Allen Malone, was born in Waco, Texas, on 1932 February 10. As a member of the African-American community in the South, Malone faced significant challenges growing up, particularly in the area of education. However, thanks in large part to the encouragement of her parents, who were both educators, Vivienne thrived in the pursuit of knowledge despite the obstacles that existed.

From her earliest days as a student at North Seventh Street Elementary School in Waco, Vivienne experienced the challenges associated with racially segregated school systems. She did not, however, allow her circumstances to deter her. In 1948, she graduated from A.J. Moore High School at the age of sixteen. Malone then attended Fisk University where she earned her bachelor’s degree (1952) and master’s degree (1954). While at Fisk, Mayes changed her degree from medicine to mathematics after coming under the tutelage of Evelyn Granville, one of the first of two African-American women to earn her Ph.D. in mathematics. It was also during this time that Vivienne married her husband, James Mayes.

After a teaching stint at Paul Quinn College, Malone-Mayes decided to pursue doctoral work in the field of mathematics. In 1961, she applied to Baylor’s graduate program but was denied entry because the school had not yet been fully integrated. She was finally accepted into the University of Texas where she became only the fifth African-American woman in the nation to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics (1966).

In 1966, Dr. Malone-Mayes returned to Baylor University where she was hired to a full-time position as a professor in the mathematics department. She was the first African-American hired to such a position in Baylor history. She went on to have a successful, lengthy career in her field, serving on several boards and committees of note. She retired in 1994 due to ill health.

Alongside her academic pursuits, Dr. Malone-Mayes remained active in the local community. Since the days of her childhood, Vivienne was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church. She also served on various boards for Family Counseling and Children Services, Goodwill Industries, and the Heart of Texas Region Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center.

Dr. Malone-Mayes passed away in 1995 June 9 at the age of sixty-three.

Archives held at Baylor University. Finding aid available at: https://baylorarchives.cuadra.com/cgi-bin/starfetch.exe?PIpsiDv9o8MzDKp2AZdNCsP7qUJk2LL6JHEA1IyRBQLD2CJaBCTla6nH8ySYwGEvqPBKGb.Y5jKMdmg1xFaB.sY8jKv1k84kaFhY5SBKdm0/0000nz.xml.

To Be Submitted to VIAF.

2015.01.01. Anna St.Onge

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivienne_Malone-Mayes http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/PEEPS/mayes_vivienne_malone.html
Archives held by Baylor University. Finding aid: https://baylorarchives.cuadra.com/cgi-bin/starfetch.exe?PIpsiDv9o8MzDKp2AZdNCsP7qUJk2LL6JHEA1IyRBQLD2CJaBCTla6nH8ySYwGEvqPBKGb.Y5jKMdmg1xFaB.sY8jKv1k84kaFhY5SBKdm0/0000nz.xml