Vera Green

Vera Mae Green (September 6, 1928 – January 17, 1982) was an American anthropologist, educator, and scholar, who made major contributions in the fields of Caribbean studies, interethnic studies, black family studies and the study of poverty and the poor. She was one of the first African-American Caribbeanists and the first to focus on Dutch Caribbean culture. She developed a "methodology for the study of African American Anthropology" that acknowledged the diversity among and within black families, communities and cultures. Her other areas of research included mestizos in Mexico and communities in India and Israel. "ommitted to the betterment of the human condition", Green also focused her efforts toward international human rights.

Early life and education Vera Mae Green was born on September 6, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, where she lived in poor urban areas and attended the city's public schools. She was an only child and an avid reader. Having developed an interest in anthropology at an early age, as a child she drew distinctions between the portrayal of Native Americans in Hollywood films and the actual Native American peoples and their cultures. Consequently, sometimes her friends avoided sitting next to her when watching films because they thought she might spoil the show.

Green's academic pursuits sometimes were delayed because of her lack of finances. However, she maintained an interest in social science. After receiving a scholarship, she went on to study sociology and psychology at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 1952, she earned a B.A. in sociology from Roosevelt University, where she studied under anthropologist St. Clair Drake and sociologist and newspaper columnist Horace R. Cayton Jr., the co-authors of the seminal book Black Metropolis: A Study of Negro Life in a Northern City. "Drake encouraged Green to seek graduate study in the social sciences, but her lack of finances eliminated that possibility."

Prior to moving to New York City for graduate studies, she held several positions at various social welfare agencies in Chicago. While her work in direct services with some of the city's vulnerable populations was rewarding, she found it necessary to continue her studies. She enrolled in Columbia University. Under the direction of anthropologists Charles Wagley and Eleanor Padilla, Green studied the "relationship among social stress, health, and disease" in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. While at Columbia University, she also studied under Native American anthropologist Gene Weltfish, who was investigated during the McCarthy era. Amidst controversy, Green supported efforts to help Weltfish keep her position at Columbia University. Weltfish's position was terminated. "Standing up for Weltfish caused [Green] acceptance into Columbia University's doctoral program." But, she and Weltfish became friends.

In 1955, Green earned a Master of Arts degree in anthropology, from Columbia University. In 1969, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. Green was one of them.

Career Applied and social anthropologist Vera Mae Green made significant contributions to Caribbean studies, interethnic studies, black family studies and the study of poverty and the poor.

Prior to earning her master's in anthropology, Green held various social services positions in her hometown, Chicago. She worked as a "group worker, social welfare aide, [...] child welfare worker" and, in the city's housing authority, as "a community tenant-relations aide and social worker". After earning a Master of Arts in anthropology from Columbia University, Green returned to providing direct services to marginalized communities but, this time, her focus included international community development. In 1956, she worked with the United Nations in a community of mestizos in Mexico. For this, she became a "Fundamental Educator" with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). While in this role, she also focused on community development in India. After her experience on the project and with encouragement from Lewis, Green entered a doctoral program at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, In the introduction of the book, Nelson and Green proposed that nations come to a consensus on what are human rights. They explained that in "effort to have rhetoric and principles of political leaders, including political leaders in the United States, reflected in the actions, a worldwide agreement on the definition, characteristics, and example of human rights that would lead to appropriate development, monitoring and enforcement. Lack of intention consensus is the problem with human rights".

Green served on the Executive Council of the American Anthropological Association. One of the founders of the Association of Black Anthropologists, she also served as the association's first president, sometimes hosting meetings in her home.

Affiliations Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton (1981–1982) American Anthropological Association Association of Black Anthropologists Mid-Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies

Death and legacy A resident of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Green died at Princeton Medical Center on January 17, 1982. "Comments on Charles Valentine, Racism and Recent Anthropology of U.S. Blacks" (1972) "Methodological Problems Involved in the Study of Aruban Family". In Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Family in the Caribbean. (1973) Migrants in Aruba: Interethnic Integration (1974) "Racial vs. Ethnic Factors in Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean Migration". In Migration, Change and Development: Implications for Ethnic Diversity and Policial Conflict. (1975) "The Black Extended Family in the United States: Some Research Suggestions". In The Extended Family in Black Societies. (1978) International Human Rights: Contemporary Perspectives – co-edited with Jack Nelson (1980) "U.S. Blacks: The Creation of an Enduring People?". In Persistent Peoples Cultural Enclaves in Perspective. (1981) "Dominica". In Political Parties of the Americas. (1982)