Ms. Dorothy Ledores Greene

Virtuous Woman: Dorothy Ledores Gulley was born to the late Donald McGilvary Sr. and Ruth Mae Peters Gulley, December 3, 1932, in Greenville, Alabama. She was the oldest of four children: Donald Junior, Norma, and Linda. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Butler Chapel AME Zion Church in Greenville, Alabama. Dorothy graduated from Lomax Hannon High School in 1950. She attended Spelman College and graduated second in her class receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1954. She was an accomplished vocalist. During her time at Spelman, she received formal voice training and was a member of the Spelman Choir. After she graduated, she taught high school in Claxton, Georgia for the first year of her career before returning to Spelman College to teach. Spelman had a profound impact on her life and she taught there until she married John Greene in 1957. John and Dorothy lived together in Greenville, Alabama. During this time she began her graduate studies at University of Pennsylvania and taught for Butler County Schools from 1957 to 1970. Years after Brown vs. the Board of Education when the courts forced Alabama schools to integrate, her husband John, Southside High School principal, was fired so that they could hire a white principal for the integrated student body. Despite winning a class action suit for unfair employment practice, they received death threats and relocated to the Detroit area in the early 70s. Dorothy taught biology at Highland Park Community College, eventually becoming chair of the department, and ultimately Director of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She was passionate about the Kreb Cycle, education and making a difference in the lives of all students. While in Alabama, rather than have her students go without an important learning experience, she caught frogs with her students. At Highland Park Community College, she often paid the tuition balance for hard working Highland Park students whose overdue accounts threatened their progress. Dorothy was an active member of the local Detroit Chapter and National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. During her time as Chapter President, the Detroit Chapter produced one of its most successful fundraisers at the Renaissance Center. The proceeds resulted in scholarships for Spelman students. She later led the scholarship committee and took great pride in awarding scholarships to college bound students at the annual Spelman-Morehouse picnic. She was very active in supporting Glee Club visits to Detroit. Both of Dorothy's daughters attended Spelman and her granddaughter Kayla is currently a senior at Spelman College and was a member of the Spelman Glee Club. Dorothy joined St. Paul AME Zion Church when she moved to Detroit. She loved to sing and was an active member and soloist of St. Paul AME Zion Senior Choir. She was also a member of the St Paul AME Zion Matron’s Society. Additionally, she was a devoted member of the Outreach Ministry where she worked tirelessly to provide food and clothing to the community. She worked closely with Gleaners and successfully sought and obtained grants to support outreach efforts.

Ms. Dorothy Ledores Greene

December 3, 1932 - October 8, 2013