Melerson Guy Dunham | |
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| Born | May 6, 1904 |
| Died | December 1985 (aged 81) |
| Education |
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| Occupation(s) | Professor of history and literature |
| Known for | Funding college educations for African American students, teacher, civil rights and women's rights activist |
| Spouse | James A. Dunham |
Melerson Guy Dunham (May 6, 1904 – December 1985) was an American educator and activist from the state of Mississippi. She put herself through college and graduate school working in the fields and as a domestic worker. Mississippi Minister Industrial College awarded her an honorary doctorate. Dunham taught history, literature, and social science over her career at Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College and Prentiss Institute. At both schools she created weekend programs for Rural and Urban Black Women Leaders and Rural and Urban Black Women Leaders about overcoming challenges.
Dunham was active in educational, religious, and civic organizations throughout her life, founding and leading a number of them. She and her husband helped five people complete their education to become ministers, a teacher, and a medical clinician. Dunham attained the title "Mom", although she had no children of her own, for the support that she provided young people. She established an organization for young ladies to obtain opportunities to work, receive mentoring, and learn and provide life-saving medical care.
Dunham was recognized as a historian due to her membership in three history organizations and having published the book entitled Centennial History of Alcorn College. She received the black history award at the University of Southern Mississippi.