Dr. Sandra L. McGee

Dr. Sandra L. McGee
Des Moines

Dr. Sandra L. McGee, 63, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 25, 2018, surrounded by her family. Sandra was born December 14, 1954 in Des Moines, Iowa to Catherine (Hardeman) and Richard “Pete” Daniels. The middle of five children, Sandra was known for her determination, work ethic, and her care for others. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, loving grandmother, supportive mentor, advocate and educator, and all-around phenomenal woman. Sandra and her loving husband, Uriah McGee, met and fell in love in 1983 and were soon married on October 19, 1984. They recently celebrated 35 years of marriage and 36 years of a relationship filled with laughter, dance, and a deep friendship.

Dr. McGee’s professional life focused on the wellbeing of her community and the education and mentoring of the next generation. She lived a life of service and scholarship, a pioneering advocate for social justice, cultural equity in child welfare, and juvenile justice in local and statewide government. She attended Des Moines Area Community College and graduated from Upper Iowa University with a BS degree in 1994. She earned her MSW degree at the University of Iowa School of Social Work’ Des Moines center. She earned her PhD from Iowa State University, focusing her dissertation on the educational needs of African-American women. She was hired in 2010 as the lead instructor and faculty liaison when the School established its BA in Social Work program in Des Moines.

Among her many professional accomplishments, Dr. McGee developed a mentoring program to expand the number of social workers of color in the state of Iowa. She conducted research and taught classes across the curriculum, including Social Work Practice, Discrimination, Oppression and Diversity; Violence and Trauma; and Social Welfare Policy, and served as the Diversity Support & Resources Coordinator for the School of Social Work. She was an inaugural member of the Iowa Department of Human Services African American Consultation Review Team (AACRT), and served as Chair of the Diversity Committee for the National Association of Social Workers Iowa chapter, leading initiatives such as voter registration efforts, the first Providers of Color Fair in Central Iowa, and numerous workshops. In 2014, she organized Enhancing Relationships forums to promote meaningful, ongoing dialogue between law enforcement and African American communities. She was also a certified trainer in the NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute), an international leadership organization that provides training in diversity, equity, and inclusion in community organizations, K-12 schools, college and university campuses, corporations, and law enforcement.

In 2017, Dr. McGee helped develop and implement “Too Good to Lose,” a mentoring program in Polk County devoted to helping teenage girls who have been accused of crimes and have used drugs, but who are also victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking.

Dr. McGee served the social work and social justice community with tremendous insight, leadership, and foresight, throughout her career, and her efforts and impact have been frequently recognized with coveted awards. In recent years she was named the Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers Iowa Chapter (NASW) (2013); the James Derham Health Practitioner of the Year Award by the Iowa Juneteenth Observance Board (2013); an Outstanding Alumni Award from Des Moines Area Community College (2014); the Frankie Muse Freeman Social Action Award from Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Regional Division; the Director’s Community Service Award from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2017).

In September 2018, Dr. McGee was inducted into the Iowa African American Hall of Fame, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of African-Americans who have enhanced the quality of life for all Iowans. The Iowa chapter of the NASW awarded McGee the organization’s Catherine G. Williams Lifetime Achievement Diversity Award in 2017, and in 2018 the NASW gave her their Lifetime Achievement Award for her career-long contributions to the field.

Her devotion to students, and to the Des Moines community, is deeply significant. Sandra was loved, but she was also highly respected as a professor and leader. She earned the respect and admiration of her students through her knowledge, wisdom, and unending commitment to the social work profession and her community. Her inspiration lives through her good work as a professor, partner, sister, mother, grandmother, colleague and friend and she will be remembered for the light in her soul, and the fire in her spirit.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Uriah McGee; daughters, Felecia Nunn (Andre), Urhonda Jelks (Casey) and Teresa Hobson; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Tanya Lowery, Jeanetta Crossley (Ernest), Richard Daniels, Gilbert Woods, Desi Woods, Terry Woods, Lynette Richardson; a host of nieces and nephews; and her mother-in-law, Hattie McGee.

She was preceded in death by her mother Catherine A. Daniels, father Richard “Pete” Daniels, step-mother Alva Jean Daniels, father-in-law Uriah McGee, Sr., brother Michael Daniels, sister René Sharp, and brother-in-law Larry Ronald McGee.

There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Corinthian Baptist Church, 814 School Street, Des Moines at 1:00 p.m. Family will begin greeting guests one hour prior to the service.

Contributions may be directed to Susan G. Komen or UnityPoint Hospice – Taylor House.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print