In Memoriam: Phyllis Lucille Richards

A Visionary In Early Childhood Education And Development

Phyllis Lucille Richards (March 30, 1920 – April 18, 2023) was a lifelong leader and researcher in early childhood education and child development. She was among a small group of national leaders who championed best practices for multifaceted development of young children both at home and in school. Dr. Richards was also a proud alumna of FSU’s Human Development and Family Science Ph.D. program.

Her life’s path took her from Flint, Michigan, where she was born, to Toledo, Ohio, and to the bustling streets of Chicago in 1937. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education from The University of Chicago, later joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) in 1948. She retired from UT in 1987 as a Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Richards worked vigorously to help establish the Head Start program in Texas and neighboring states. The program’s services support children’s growth by focusing on early learning and development, health, and family well-being. She served as board member and officer for the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC), helping lead the way toward making NAEYC a major voice for young children and their families.

Throughout her professional life she lent her expertise to numerous local, state and international agencies as a consultant. She held office in professional organizations and community agencies, and even initiated child life specialist programs at both the Austin Children’s Hospital and Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital outside Dallas.

In November of 2000, Dr. Richards joined the Westcott Legacy Society by documenting that Florida State University was a beneficiary of her estate. Dr. Richards chose to continue her work of supporting young children and their families by creating a scholarship for graduate students here in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

The Phyllis L. Richards Endowed Graduate Scholarship in Child Development will support graduate students in human development and family science, prioritizing academic excellence while considering financial need as a secondary criterion.

To learn more about her scholarship or how to document your estate commitments to FSU, contact Assistant Dean for Development Kevin Derryberry at (850) 228-5021.