Barbara Taylor Bowman (Credit: Erikson Institute)
Barbara Taylor Bowman, a leading advocate for early childhood education, has died at 96.
Bowman is known not only for her lifelong work in the field and for co-founding the Erikson Institute, but also as the mother of Valerie Jarrett, an advisor to former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
“Her legacy is one of transformation, not only of Erikson but of the entire early childhood education landscape,” said Erikson President Mariana Souto-Manning in a statement. “She didn’t just shape an institution — she helped shape the very foundation of the field. Barbara’s commitment to justice, equity, and the well-being of all children will continue to animate our mission, inspire our work, and guide the field for generations to come.”
Bowman was born Oct. 30, 1928, on the South Side of Chicago, where a segregated society shaped her early life. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in 1950, she became a preschool teacher, sparking her passion for early childhood education.
She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Chicago in 1952. She and her husband, Dr. James E. Bowman, became parents to Valerie Jarrett in 1956.
Inspired by the birth of Head Start the year before, Bowman co-founded the Erikson Institute, along with psychologist Maria Piers, social worker Lorraine Wallach and businessman Irving Harris in 1966. The group felt there was a lack of training for preschool teachers of children from resource-deprived communities.
Bowman became the longest serving of the four founders, and worked as president from 1994 to 2001, shaping its direction and legacy as a mentor, teacher and leader.
Additionally, she served as chief officer for early childhood education at Chicago Public Schools and as a consultant to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan during the Obama administration.
Bowman continued to teach graduate courses and serve on numerous committees and boards until her death.
Just two days before the Nov. 5 election, Jarrett posted a picture on social media of Bowman holding an “I Voted” sticker, with the caption: “If my mom could vote at 96, you can too!”
