Honoring Inspiring Educators: Cecilia Conrad's Heartfelt Dallas Tribute

My journey to earning a doctorate in economics from Stanford is profoundly influenced by Mrs. Irma Lewis, who imparted mathematical skills at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School. During the 1970s, the number of African Americans attaining economics doctorates was markedly low. However, it was Mrs. Lewis’s outstanding instruction and unwavering support that established a firm groundwork for my scholarly achievements. Her dedication not only fostered my interest in the subject but also inspired a generation to pursue academic excellence. Mrs. Lewis exemplified the transformative power of education and mentorship, encouraging her students to break barriers and strive for success in fields historically underrepresented by minorities. Her legacy continues to reverberate within the academic community today.