Rowland was born in Texas but spent her high
school years in Oklahoma. She attended college as
an older student and pursued concentrations in
English and philosophy while working toward a
bachelor’s degree in sociology. Following the com-
pletion of her college studies in 1936, Rowland en-
tered a master’s program at the University of
Nebraska and graduated in 1939 having completed
a thesis entitled “An Analysis of Negro Ritualistic
Ceremonies as Exemplified by Negro Organizations
in Omaha.” In 1939 she completed doctoral stud-
ies in the social sciences at Laval University in
Quebec and became the first Oklahoman woman
of African descent to earn a Ph.D.
Rowland wrote one volume of poetry during
the Harlem Renaissance. LISPING LEAVES, pub-
lished by the Philadelphia firm Dorrance & Com-
pany, included nearly 50 poems on nature,
self-determination, racial awareness, and humanity.
Rowland published poetry and numerous works
relating to African-American history. Through her
own press, Bell Enterprises, located in Pine Bluff,
Arkansas, she published the series entitled Black
Heroes and Heroinesthat featured profiles of figures
such as MARYMCLEODBETHUNE,PAULLAURENCE
DUNBAR,JAMES WELDON JOHNSON, and Phillis
Wheatley. A collection of poetry, Idylls of the Seasons,
Poemswas published in 1978.Rowland, Ida 461