The University of Michigan School of Dentistry matriculated Ida Gray on October 1, 1887, marking the beginning of a trajectory that would establish her as the first African-American woman to practice dentistry in the United States. Her career spanned more than three decades, challenging established social and professional norms within the American medical landscape at the turn of the twentieth century.
Early Development and Apprenticeship
Born on March 4, 1867, in Clarksville, Tennessee, Ida Gray was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, by her aunt, Caroline Gray, following the death of her mother, Jenny. She attended segregated public schools and worked as a seamstress to support her education, eventually graduating from Gaines High School in 1887. During this period, she secured a position in the dental offices of Jonathan Taft and William Taft. Jonathan Taft, a proponent of women in the dental profession, provided Gray with a three-year apprenticeship that proved essential for her academic preparation.
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Upon successfully passing the entrance examinations, Gray enrolled at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. She earned her degree in June 1890. Shortly after graduation, she opened a practice at 216 Ninth Street in Cincinnati, treating a diverse patient base. In 1895, she relocated to Chicago after marrying James Sanford Nelson, a lawyer and officer in the Illinois National Guard. She continued her clinical work in Chicago for over thirty years, gaining a reputation for her patient-centered approach, particularly with children.
Social Engagement and Later Years
Outside of her clinical practice, Gray maintained an active role in various community organizations. She served as vice president of the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago and the Eighth Regiment Ladies’ Auxiliary, and she was a member of the Phyllis Wheatley Club. Following the death of James Sanford Nelson in 1926, she married William A. Rollins in 1929. She retired from dentistry in 1928 and passed away in Chicago on May 3, 1953.
Fast facts
- Born: 4 March 1867, Clarksville, Tennessee
- Died: 3 May 1953, Chicago, Illinois
- Graduation: June 1890, University of Michigan School of Dentistry
- First dental office: 216 Ninth Street, Cincinnati
- First husband: James Sanford Nelson
- Second husband: William A. Rollins
- Professional organizations: Professional Women's Club of Chicago
- Retirement year: 1928
Questions readers ask
What was Ida Gray's primary professional distinction?
She was the first African-American woman to become a dentist in the United States.
Did Ida Gray mentor others in her field?
Yes, her practice inspired one of her patients, Olive M. Henderson, to become the second black woman dentist in Chicago.
