Ann Dunham

Stanley Ann Dunham 1960 Mercer Island High School yearbook

Ann Dunham (November 29, 1942 – November 7, 1995) was an American anthropologist known for her work in rural development in Indonesia. She is also widely recognized as the mother of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Dunham's research focused on the rural craftsmen of Indonesia, and she was particularly interested in the role of women in the economy. Her work has been noted for its contributions to economic anthropology and its insights into the complexities of development work.

Early Life and Education

Ann Dunham was born Stanley Ann Dunham in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Stanley Armour Dunham and Madelyn Dunham. She spent her early years in various parts of the United States, including California, Oklahoma, and Texas, before her family settled in Mercer Island, Washington. Dunham excelled in academics, showing an early interest in cultures and international affairs.

She attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she studied anthropology. It was there she met Barack Obama Sr., a Kenyan student with whom she would have her first child, Barack Obama. The couple married in 1961 but separated a few years later, eventually divorcing in 1964.

Career

After her divorce, Dunham continued her education, eventually earning her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Hawaii. Her dissertation, "Peasant Blacksmithing in Indonesia: Surviving and Thriving Against All Odds," was a groundbreaking work that examined the lives of rural metalworkers and the economic and social factors affecting their trades.

Dunham's career included significant fieldwork in Indonesia, where she lived and worked for several years. She was employed by the Ford Foundation and later by the Bank Rakyat Indonesia, where she was involved in microfinance programs designed to help small rural enterprises. Her work in Indonesia was pioneering and contributed to the development of microcredit practices that are widely used in development efforts today.

Personal Life

Ann Dunham was known for her commitment to social justice and her belief in the power of education and economic development to improve lives. She raised two children, Barack Obama and Maya Soetoro-Ng, instilling in them the importance of understanding and appreciating diverse cultures.

Legacy

Dunham's legacy is multifaceted, reflecting her contributions to anthropology, her role in the early development of microfinance, and her influence on her son, who would become the first African American President of the United States. Her life and work have been the subject of several books and a documentary film, highlighting her impact on both her field and her family.

Death

Ann Dunham died on November 7, 1995, from ovarian cancer. Her life continues to be a subject of interest and admiration, and her work in Indonesia has left a lasting impact on the field of economic anthropology and development studies.