Dr. Zala Highsmith-Taylor
Dr. Zala Highsmith-Taylor is the co-Chair of the Board of MADRE. She is retired from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, where she was Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and English. She currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she is a writer and visual artist whose paintings have been exhibited at several locations, including the Mahaffey Theater for the Performing Arts. She is currently revising a children's book, Timothy Chooses an African Name, which she wrote and illustrated. Dr. Highsmith-Taylor has been active in the African-American peace, justice, and women's communities throughout her adult life, and she has served on the boards and/or held membership in a number of community and national organizations. Her research and lectures have included the history, culture, and social and political struggles of African American people in general and women in particular, as well as the political economy of the United States. She has given a number of lectures and inspirational speeches at a variety of public schools, churches, colleges, and universities throughout the country, including Harvard, Colombia, Cornell, and the University of Maryland. Her awards include the Fannie Lou Hamer Award, Outstanding Faculty Award, Keeper of the Flame Award, and many service certificates awarded by community and student organizations.
