Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford broke the gender barrier when she was appointed dean of Howard University College of Dentistry in 1975, serving in that position until 1991. She was the first female dean of a U.S. dental school. An alumna of Howard University, Sinkford graduated first in her dental class at Howard in 1958. She currently serves as dean emerita of the College of Dentistry. In honor of her groundbreaking career, Sinkford received the prestigious William John Gies Award from the American College of Dentists last October, the highest accolade it bestows. In its citation, the organization praised Sinkford for her efforts to recruit women and minority students to the dental profession as well as her well-established reputation as an educator, administrator, clinician and community advocate.
