Uncrowned Community Builders

Dr. Anna Porter Burrell was born in Philadelphia in 1902. She graduated from high school and a two-year Normal School before completing a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1923. Dr. Burrell's teaching career in higher education began at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she taught chemistry from 1923-25.

In 1926, she earned a Master of Science degree in Medical Sciences from her alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. She was one of 81 women to receive a Master's degree in a class of nearly 300. Dr. Burrell's career path took her to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she taught bacteriology. She also met her future husband, Robert Burrell at Howard.

In 1945, Dr. Burrell enrolled in the doctoral program in psychology and human relations at New York University. Dr. Burrell came to Buffalo to teach at Buffalo State College in 1948. She was the first African American faculty member to be hired by the College. Her husband, Robert was an attorney in the Buffalo District Attorney's office. He later became a City Court Judge. Dr. Burrell's interest in child development, human relations and international education led to her involvement in education in the country of India. In 1959, she received a Fulbright Fellowship at Jabalpu University in India. This was followed by an appointment to the post of Director of the India Project at Buffalo State that resulted in several trips with students, in 1968-69 and 1970-71, to study the educational system and culture of that country. She was also the College's Director of Human Relations Workshops. Dr. Burrell retired from Buffalo State in 1972.

Dr. Burrell was an active member of the Committee for World Affairs and World Hospitality Association. She also was involved in several other community organizations. She was honored by numerous groups, including: B'Nai B'Rith, National Conference for Community and Justice, the University at Buffalo, and the Urban League. Dr. Burrell lectured throughout the United States on Labor, Children, and Discrimination, and in addition, published several articles. Dr. Burrell died in 1981. The Dr. Anna P. Burrell Underrepresented Minority Scholarship Fund was established in her honor.

Dr. Burrell is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York.