Joanna Crosby

Joanna Crosby (1966-2023), Age 57

Originally from California, Joanna spent the last 28 years living in Baltimore.

She moved here to join the Morgan State Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies, after earning her PhD in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University. She wrote and edited multiple publications including The Wire and Philosophy: This America, Man; Apples and Orchards since the Eighteenth Century: Material Innovation and Cultural Tradition; and Revenge by Otter.

She taught nearly 30 different courses - most relating her to specializations in critical social thought, ethics and values, Chinese philosophy, and feminist philosophy. She was passionate about issues of gender, race, class, popular culture, and sustainability. While many of her students might say she was "an easy A," they would quickly follow that up to clarify that she was most concerned about provoking insightful discussion, original thinking and healthy skepticism of the establishment.

She carried that same swagger into everyday moments, unafraid to be exactly who she was - outspoken and convicted.

Outside of the classroom, Joanna calmed the intensity of her work with numerous creative pursuits. She was a committee member of the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival - where she won awards herself for her weaving and spinning.

She was an avid gardener - boasting annual harvests of tomatoes, squash, eggplant, figs, and lavender.

Beyond her career and herbal accomplishments, Joanna will be best remembered as someone dedicated to building community and genuine connection with her friends, family, and colleagues. She was the first in line to welcome a new neighbor or faculty member - especially those who felt most alone. She volunteered her time as a babysitter and cat sitter. While she had no children of her own, she would say she felt an implicit sense of responsibility to play a part in the village of families and communities around her.

Joanna was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia. She is survived by her devoted husband Michael Bradley, her father Buck (Justin) Crosby, her brother Patrick Crosby, a community of friends and neighbors across the Baltimore region, and a clowder of grateful cats.