Barbara Purifoy Seldon
Barbara Purifoy Seldon’s desire to serve and honor all veterans and their families stems from the powerful impact military service had on her life. The three-year tour of duty taught her strong discipline, respect for authority, and the importance of being a part of something greater than oneself. It helped to mold her character and influenced her work ethic. After college, she Joined the Wolverine Chapter 67 Women’s Army Corp Veterans’ Association and became a member of the National Honor guard. Each year on Veteran’s Day, as Captain of the National Honor Guard, Barbara, (and other Honor Guard member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association – Army Women United) is invited to place a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldiers, and to participate in the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies honoring veterans who sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom.
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Barbara Purifoy Seldon entered college at the University of Detroit. She received certification and licensure in dental hygiene in 1968, bachelor’s degree in 1970, master’s degree in 1972 and was immediately hired as faculty at the University of Detroit School of Dentistry. She retired in 2005 with the rank of tenured Associate Professor, Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Assistant to Dean for Special Projects, and Director of Minority Affairs.
Barbara Purifoy-Seldon academic course responsibilities include Dental Anatomy, Dental Materials, Pre-clinical dental Hygiene, Clinical Dental Hygiene 1, 2, 3 and 4, Special Patient Management, Dental Materials, and Dental Public Health. Additionally, she was responsible for CPR training for all faculty, staff, and students. She is currently an adjunct professor at UDM. Her course responsibilities include Dental Materials and Special Patient Management.
The academic organizations in which she holds membership and has held multiple positions are: National Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA), Wolverine Dental Hygienists Society (WDHS), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association (MDHA), Detroit District Dental Hygienists Society (DDDHS), and the Michigan Dental Hygiene Educators (MDHE).
In July of 2000 and 2004, Governor Engler and Governor Granholm of Michigan appointed her to the Michigan State Board of Dentistry and the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB). She is currently an examiner for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) formerly NERB and helps to determine the preparedness of student dentists and dental hygienists to work on the public.
Barbara Purifoy-Seldon, is currently a retired Associate Professor, Assistant to Dean for Special Projects, and Director of Minority Recruitment in the Department of Periodontology, Division of Dental Hygiene at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. As Assistant to Dean for Special Projects, and Director of Minority Affairs, Barbara Seldon was charged with developing the Universities philosophy on diversity and providing diversity training for all faculty staff and students. Barbara Seldon was charged with traveling to all colleges and universities in Michigan recruiting students, introducing them to the profession of dentistry. She is founding member of the UDM African American Alumni Association, Student National Dental Association (SNDA)Student National Dental Hygienists’ Association (SNDHA)and recipient of the UDM Presidents Award for excellence along with numerous faculty excellence awards. Barbara continues to work as adjunct Associate Professor of dental hygiene. On May 12, 2023, Barbara was asked by the President of the University of Detroit Mercy to deliver the commencement address for the graduating class of 2023.
Barbara Purifoy-Seldon’s community service is remarkable. She is past president and currently Secretary-Treasurer for the Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force (MLK), chairperson for the MLK International Taste Fest and co-chair of the Grant Writing and International committees. In 2017 Southfield’s Mayor Kenson Siver appointed her to the Southfield Veterans’ Commission. In 2010 Commissioner Nancy Quarles appointed her to the Oakland County Senior Advisory Council.
As President of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Inc. in 2008, the Birmingham, Michigan Race Relations and Diversity Commission awarded her the Diversity Champion Award for leadership in Diversity/Inclusion in bringing different ethnic perspectives to the MLK Walk for Peace Program, Community Service and in exemplifying the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. of Peace Non-Violence, and Positive Social Change. She worked closely with the MLK Task Force Youth Peace Makers in bringing the Kingian principles of peace and non-violence to the Southfield, Detroit, Bloomfield, Livonia, and Oak Park communities.
As President of the Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Inc. in 2011, 2013 and 2014, along with the United Nations, Barbara Seldon traveled to Ixtapa Zihuantanejo, Guerrero Mexico to commemorate (as peace partners) the International Day of Peace. A peace pole was erected. Her work with the MLK Task Force, Wayne State University, University of Michigan and Marygrove College resulted in a traveling exhibit called “Pathways to Freedom.” The exhibit tells the story of slaves escaping from Texas, and other border states, to Mexico for freedom and independence. Slavery was outlawed in Mexico in 1829. Because of this research, in 2020 Afro-Mexicans will be included in Mexico’s census. Barbara Seldon traveled to Mexico in February 2020 to celebrate this accomplishment.
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2015 as Captain of the National Honor Guard of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association (Army Women United), Barbara Seldon was invited to have breakfast with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden at the White House to participate in the memorial ceremony honoring veterans who sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom, and to place a wreath at the site of the unknown soldiers. On April 30, 2016, Barbara, along with Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver, and two City Council Representatives travelled to South Korea for a business and culture exchange as sister cities. She visited Camp Casey (a U.S. Military Base about 12 miles from the DMZ) and was thoroughly briefed on the history and current issues involving the United States and the protection of the citizens of South Korea.
The old saying, “What lies before you and what lies behind you are tiny matters, compared to what lies within you.” Say what you mean and mean what you say …. Don’t just think before you talk, think and feel before you talk… that way everything you say comes from your head to your heart, then your lips. People will love and respect you.
Thank you Mrs. Barbara Purifoy Seldon for your service to community and support of veterans. Through your professional and personal endeavors, you are inspiring others to be more than the average.
More about Barbara: FaceBook – Black History Month in #OaklandCounty: Military Veteran Barbara Selden
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