John and Gladys Noel Bates Collection

Gladys Noel Bates (1920-2010) was an African-American civil rights pioneer and educator who filed a lawsuit in 1948 (Gladys Noel Bates v. the State of Mississippi) charging salary discrimination against black teachers and principals. Although her lawsuit was not successful, it brought enough attention to the issue of wage equality in education to begin to equalize salaries.

Born in Mississippi, Gladys Winnie Noel received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tougaloo College and a Master of Arts degree from West Virginia University. She later attended University of Colorado and University of Denver. In 1938, Gladys married John M. Bates (1913–1995). They had two children, Kathryn Sue Bates (1939– ) and John Milton (“Bunky”) Bates, Jr. (1945–2005).

Prior to their marriage, John Bates, Sr. attended schools in Fairmont, West Virginia and graduated from West Virginia State College. He joined the coaching staff of Alcorn A&M in Alcorn, Mississippi in 1937. John and Gladys moved to Denver, Colorado in 1960 and began working for Denver Public Schools. In 1979, John earned his doctorate in education from the University of Colorado.

The Bates have received community recognition in the form of some of the most prestigious awards presented for community service. Dr. Bates was the only person to head both the North East Park Hill Civic Association and its successor organization, The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. organization.

The John M. and Gladys N. Bates Award recognizes an individual contributions in the areas of human relations, multiculturalism and the field of education.

Dr. and Mrs. Bates have become nationally recognized and valued participants in community activities to enhance: educational opportunities, graffiti removal, gang interdiction, confronting drug abuse, encouraging strong interracial community relationships, creating jobs and economic opportunity, and mentoring emerging leaders of the community, they advocated using all of the community tools available.