Ellen Black Winston

Ellen Black Winston (August 15, 1903 – June 19, 1984) was a social worker who worked to develop systems to support those who were underprivileged in North Carolina. She became the North Carolina Commissioner of Public Welfare and the first United States Commissioner of Welfare. Winston graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1924, and she received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in sociology from the University of Chicago in 1928 and 1930 respectively. She also earned five honorary doctoral degrees, some from the University of North Carolina and Duke University.

Personal life

Winston married Dr. Sanford R. Winston, who was the chairman of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at North Carolina State University for around thirty years, in 1928. They did not have any children. Winston also the author of several articles, mostly related to public welfare and other social services. After Winston's death in 1984, her memorial services were held at Meredith College.