Dr. Patricia Washington McGraw
Dr. Patricia Washington McGraw — educator, professor, storyteller, school founder and
author; beloved daughter, mother and grandmother; and fierce protector and chief
promoter of family and community — could be described as a modern-day Harriet
Tubman for her work setting African Americans free from mental slavery that had
persisted long after their emancipation from physical servitude. She worked just as
diligently to instill cultural identity and pride in Black youth who might otherwise have
fallen prey to such mental bondage in a society that would see them as “others.”
Small wonder that Dr. McGraw’s accomplishments culminated in this momentous
occasion in 1999: On Lake Kivu, situated between Rwanda and the Republic of the
Congo, members of the Rwandese Parliament presented her with an island for her
accomplishments.
Patricia Jo Washington was born in Little Rock, AR on May 6, 1935, to William and Ruth
Washington, from whom she learned the importance of education and identity
recognition. Dr. McGraw’s destiny was further forged at the formerly segregated Dunbar
High School. At the age of 16, she joined the Freshman class of 1954 at Spelman
College in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1957 she graduated from San Francisco State College in California. She went on to
earn a master’s degree in American literature from the college — where she was the
first Black member of Pi Beta Kappa honor society — in 1967. In addition, in 1982, Dr.
McGraw earned a doctorate in sociolinguistics and Black studies from Washington
University in St. Louis. She graduated with honors everywhere she studied.
Dr. McGraw taught at two postsecondary institutions in her home city: Philander Smith
College (now University), a Historically Black College/University (“HBCU”) at which she
became chair of the humanities division — and, the school that had once denied her
admission due to her race: the University of Arkansas Little Rock, founded in
1927, where she was the first Black member of the faculty in 1971. She was also a
professor of English and African/African American Studies at the University of Central
Arkansas in Conway, from which she retired.
But Dr. McGraw’s greatest accomplishment as an educator was, by far, the
McGraw Learning Institute: Abilities Unlimited, which she founded and operated from
1983-1994 in Little Rock. There, she instilled in children up through sixth grade the
importance of their African, and African American, history and heritage. Most
importantly, students were taught self-worth, dignity and respect for themselves and
others.
Of the hundreds of college students Dr. McGraw taught, she often took them under her
wing personally, providing wisdom, guidance and nurturing well beyond the classroom.
For example, students from the country of Sudan found comfort at her kitchen table at a
time when they could not safely return home.
Dr. McGraw did not just teach about the continent from which her ancestors came; she
fully embraced it. A DNA test traced her bloodline to the Fulbe people of Niger, a finding
in which she took especial pride. She traveled throughout the United States, Canada
and 18 African countries, while engaging in educational and humanitarian initiatives.
Also known as mPata or Pata — a title meaning “one of noble birth” and also standing
for compassion, creativity, reliability, generosity, loyalty and love for family — Dr.
McGraw served as Queen Mother of Imani Temple and headed ASCAC, the Association
for the Study of Classical African Civilizations. She was a member of Arkansas WAND
(Women’s Action for New Directions), whose mission is to empower women to act
politically to reduce violence and militarism, and help to meet human and environmental
needs.
In addition, Dr. McGraw was a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers
and a founding member of the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society in
Arkansas. Her popular one-woman show, “A Profile of Four Black Women: Look Upon
Them and Be Renewed,” has been performed throughout the United States and in such
locales as Africa, the West Indies and Canada. She was also featured in the Library of
Congress Series “The HistoryMakers” in March of 2018.
Dr. McGraw was the author of several books, including the 2000 novel “Hush! Hush!
Somebody’s Calling My Name,” and myriad articles and poems. Her teaching
excellence and community service awards — local, state, and national — extended into
the triple figures. She was a 2004 Arkansas Black Hall of Fame inductee and the
subject of a number of other articles, including one posted on the Encyclopedia of
Arkansas History & Culture.
Always a student of history and a creative visionary, Dr. McGraw transformed her
parents’ home, located across from Little Rock Central High School, into the
Washington Heritage House. She envisioned a center of cultural enlightenment and
enrichment for members of the local, state, national and global communities who visited
this historic site.
Dr. McGraw inspired and encouraged her family members to venture out into the world,
to spread their wings and soar. She was extremely generous with her time, talent and
resources. She would offer seed money to help with schooling, home purchases and
business launches.
To her grandchildren, “Grandma Pata” was fun-loving, humorous, adventurous and cool.
She nurtured each of them uniquely and made them feel seen, heard and loved. She let
them know that it was not only OK to be curious and smart, but that it was expected that
they be bold and brilliant and make a meaningful contribution to their worlds.
Dr. McGraw was preceded in death by her parents, William A. Washington Sr. and Ruth
Torrence Washington; her two brothers, William “Billy” A. Washington Jr. and Donald
Washington; her son, Guy McGraw; and her former husband and close friend, Tyrone
Power McGraw. She is survived by two daughters, Donita R. Dunn (Rick Dunn) of Little
Rock, AR, and Lori McGraw-Baker (Gerry Baker) of Frisco, TX; eight grandchildren (Bryan
Farr, Latisha Johnson, Patrick McGraw, Joel McGraw, Nia Baker-
Johnson, Maya Farr, Colin Farr, and Jordan Baker); 11 great-grandchildren; and one
great-great granddaughter, along with a host of family and friends. Her legacy lives on in
this strong tribe spanning five generations as well as through her teachings, creative
works and contributions for the betterment of her broad community.
Family hour will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 30, at Premier Funeral Home, 1020 Daisy Bates Dr. Little Rock, AR 72202. Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, at Rufus K. Young
church. 2000 S. Louisiana St., followed by interment at Roselawn Memorial Park.