Dr. Gwendolyn Sneed O’Neal
“We are individual designs in the fabric of life. We have our own integrity, but simultaneously we are part of the fabric, connected to and defined by the whole.” —Tom Atlee, social, peace and environmental activist
As a scholar of textiles and clothing, Dr. Gwen O’Neal once published an article about ways of measuring the perceived quality of clothing. She was ostensibly writing about the material and construction of a garment. But she might also have been talking about how to sense the inherent value of a thing and draw it out. She knew how to do that. That is what she did at Bennett. It’s what she did with her life.
On Wednesday, June 12, the thread of her life was broken, but the legacy she has woven through service, scholarship, and her devotion to her family and community cannot be severed.
EDUCATION and CAREER
Gwen Sneed’s Bennett sisters from the class of 1969 always knew she was bound for impressive accomplishments. “She was really focused on getting things done,” Jackie Powell Jones, ‘69, said when the news broke that Dr. O’Neal was taking the helm as interim president of the college. “We always thought Gwen would be the ideal president for Bennett, and I always told her that.”
Her many accomplishments at Bennett were her first steps toward a long career in higher-education. With an undergraduate degree in Home Economics-Clothing-Art, she went on to complete a master’s degree from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and then her PhD at The Ohio State University. Her academic focus was on textiles and clothing, and she went on to have considerable influence in the field as a scholar, educator, and leader.
Dr. O’Neal served on the faculty at Bennett, Kansas State University, Alabama A&M, and later as a professor and head of the department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail studies at UNCG. She was a fellow of the International Textile and Apparel Association, and went on to serve as the organization’s president in 2004. She was also a member of the National Coalition for Black Development in Home Economics.
Her academic publications and presentations elevated discussions of clothing, examining the power of textiles to communicate and change behavior. She thought deeply about how our apparel and adornments influence how we see and are seen in the world. Her ideas transcended the warp and weft of textiles, to consider the “cultural genetics” that are on display in what we wear and how we wear it. It was this kind of thought leadership that led to her being invited to contribute to the Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, writing on the African American Aesthetic of Dress.
LOVING LEADERSHIP
In 2019, Bennett College was at a critical juncture. Facing declining enrollment and accreditation battles, the Board of Trustees needed to make a swift, but certain decision about who could take the helm. Under the guidance of Chair Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, PhD. ’71, they called on Dr. O’Neal.
She had retired from UNCG in 2004 and was looking forward to a life of active leisure. “I had no intention of ever going back to work,” she said. But her love for her alma mater couldn’t be denied, and she agreed to step in as interim president. “I wasn’t looking for this, but I have to believe that there is a reason for it and that everything is going to work out to Bennett’s good and to God’s glory.”
Dr. O’Neal embraced this pivotal role with grace and determination. “When you come in new, you spend a lot of time assessing the situation to see where things are, as well as time learning how things operate in an environment in which you have not been,” O’Neal said. She committed herself to long days and tireless efforts to ensure the college was equipped to face challenges ahead. She managed with an open heart, a firm hand, and quiet, consistent power.
By the time Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD took office as permanent president, Dr. O’Neal had proven herself essential to the college. She was invited to stay on, filling several important positions, including Chief Operating Officer, finally retiring in 2022. In each role, she continued to pour her heart into Bennett, guided by the conviction of Philippians 4:3, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
LEGACY
For those who knew her, Dr. O’Neal was the epitome of grace, intelligence, and perseverance. There was a precision about everything she did, and she embodied a sense of elegant confidence. Her sense of curiosity about the world made her an avid reader, a collector of African-American art, and a devoted traveler. She took delight in the impressive collection of textiles she collected from around the world. But she was most proud of having made time to enjoy peace at home and time with her family, especially her daughters Dawnne and Elisha, and her grandchildren Ryan and Kennedy.
It was her faith, her family, and the support of her spiritual community that she leaned on most during challenging times, including after the loss of Carlton, her beloved husband. As a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, she often spoke of the prayers and encouragement she received from friends and colleagues—and she was quick to offer prayer and to others.
Dr. O’Neal’s life was a testament to her belief in divine purpose. “It is a faith walk for me,” she once reflected. Now her silver crown has become a halo, and she is with the angels and ancestors, but her influence and guidance will forever be a part of Bennett College’s story. Dr. Gwendolyn Sneed O’Neal’s legacy is one of faith, love, and an unshakeable commitment to her family, to Bennett College, and to the many people she inspired along the way.