Clara Mildred Thompson (1881-1975) was born 27 November 1881 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Robert Galbraith Thompson and Alice Wood. During her public school years, to distinguish her from another schoolgirl by the name Mildred Thompson, the initial “C” was added to the beginning of her name. After attending public school in Atlanta, she earned degrees in history from Vassar College, AB (1907) and PhD (1915). After briefly teaching in private schools in Baltimore, Maryland, she joined the History Department at Vassar. She was appointed Dean of the college in 1923 and served until her retirement in 1948. Her book Reconstruction in Georgia: Economic, Social, Political: 1865-1872 is regarded as a significant study as part of the Dunning School of Reconstruction. During her years at Vassar, and after her retirement, Ms. Thompson was active in politics as a Roosevelt Democrat. She also served as a drafter of the charter for the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO. She was also a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta. She died in Atlanta on 17 February 1975.