In Memoriam: Jo-Ann Waiting Terry, 1943-2025

Jo-Ann Waiting Terry, longtime advocate for civil rights and community college education in Michigan, passed away on March 23 at the age of 82.

In her professional career, Dr. Terry was dedicated to advancing racial equality in Detroit, Michigan. She directed the People Acting for Change Together, an anti-racism initiative. The movement was overseen by New Detroit Inc., an urban coalition founded after the 1967 Detroit rebellion. Later in her career, she spent 12 years as chair of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

As an educator, Dr. Terry spent over three decades as a leader with Michigan-based community colleges. She served as dean of educational services at Wayne County Community College and vice president and dean of career education at Henry Ford Community College. She also helped women to become community college leaders by providing career training opportunities through the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.

A native of Illinois, Dr. Terry earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and her Ph.D. in education from a joint program at the Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Michigan.

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