Juanita Ross Gray (June 28, 1916 – July 8, 1987) was a librarian in Denver, Colorado, who was known for her community outreach efforts.
Early life and education
Juanita Ross Gray was born on June 28, 1916, in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Clark College in Atlanta and majored in English. She also attended the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Denver.(1987, July 11). Denver Post, p. 27.
She married George W. Gray Jr. on December 25, 1938, in Atlanta. The couple raised two children.(1987, July 11). Denver Post, p. 27.
She was at one point a sales representative for the Hamilton Management Corp.
Community and civic affairs
Gray was a member of the following clubs and committees: Denver Cosmopolitan Club Denver Area Committee on Alcoholism National Committee on School Drop-Outs Denver Commission on Community Relations Wheatley YWCA(1961, March 19). Denver Post, p. 21. National Committee on the Employment of Youth(1962, February 8). Denver Post, p. 34. East Denver Dropout Committee(1963, March 21). Denver Post, p. 62. Colorado Women's Committee on civil rights(1964, February 12). Denver Post, p. 34.
Gray was well known for her participation in the Denver Schools. She ran to sit on the Denver Board of Education,(1961, April 14). Denver Post, p. 2. and was the vice president of the Denver Parent-Teacher Association.(1960, April 25). Denver Post, p. 27.
Gray was appointed to the Colorado State Junior College Committee by Governor Stephen McNichols.(1987, July 11). Denver Post, p. 27.
From 1971 to 1977, Gray worked for the Denver Public Library system, focusing on outreach to the Black community.(1988, February 7). Denver Post, p. 19. She was recognized for her outreach work with the Nell I. Scott Memorial Award: "Mrs. Gray was instrumental in creating a tutoring program at Warren Library in which fourth graders who weren't reading at their class level were tutored by eighth graders who were themselves termed under-achievers."(1975, May 1). Denver Post, p. 26.
Governor Dick Lamm appointed her to the Colorado Centennial Bicentennial Commission, the Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board, and the National Endowment for the Humanities State Review Board. He awarded her a National Centennial Bicentennial medal.(1987, July 11). Denver Post, p. 27.
Gray worked to persuade the Denver School Board to name a new elementary school in Montbello after Mrs. Jessie Maxwell, who was the first Black person appointed to serve as school principal in Colorado.(1972, June 14). Denver Post, p. 140.
Awards and decorations
Cosmopolitan Humanitarian Award Delta Sigma Theta sorority Woman of the Year Award Syl Morgan Foundation Woman of the Year Award Barney Ford Human Rights Award Thomas Jefferson Centennial Leader Award Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Outstanding Woman Award Denver Club's Woman of the Year Award EDEN Theatrical Workshop Award Colorado State Elks Woman of the Year Award(1987, July 11). Denver Post, p. 27. Esquire Club's Harriet Tubman Award(1987, February 11). Denver Post, p. 20. Denver Public Library's Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame (posthumous)(1988, February 7). Denver Post, p. 19.
Legacy
On July 8, 1987, Gray died from injuries received in an automobile accident.(1987, July 11). Denver Post, p. 27.
Denver Public Library honors Gray with the Juanita Gray Community Service Award each year. "For the last 33 years, DPL has honored Mrs. Gray’s legacy each year by nominating current leaders in the community who embody the same trailblazing spirit."
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