Gloria Conyers Hewitt was born in Sumter, South Carolina on October 26, 1935. Daughter of Emmett and Crenella Conyers, both college graduates with regard towards her education. Her father was a printer, while her mother taught at an elementary school, and all of her siblings attended college and earned graduates degrees. Her parents encouraged education because they believed it was the only avenue through which an African American could better themselves. In 1962, she became the fourth African-American women ever to receive a doctorate degree in mathematics. When asked at what point she realized her interest in pursuing a career in mathematics, she often refers to her college years at Fisk University: "I remember when I took calculus in college …show more content…
I was hooked. After that, to the amazement of my fellow students, I recall sitting on campus doing calculus problems for recreation" (personal interview). (https://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/hewitt.htm). Hewitt completed her Bachelors of Science degree at Fisk University, studying under Lee Lorch for her first two years there. Lorch believed so much in Hewitt's mathematical ability that he recommended her to two schools without her knowledge. In her senior year, Hewitt was offered acceptance into the University of Washington without ever applying for it. Lee Lorch most definitely had quite a significant influence on Hewitt's life. As only the fourth African-American woman to receive her doctorate degree in mathematics, one would expect that Hewitt would have had to deal with many racial and gender based issues to her success. However, Hewitt stated in a personal interview that she does not feel there has been any racial incidences in her career that have had an important effect on her studies of mathematics. Hewitt has numerous other accomplishments and responsibilities aside from her professorship. From 1964 to 1972, Hewitt was a visiting lecturer for the Mathematical Association of