Alma Thomas (1891-1978) was an American painter. Her colorful, abstract, mosaic-like paintings reference nature and art history. She was inspired by pointillism, the Washington Color School, and her mentor Loïs Mailou Jones to push herself. Her compositions reflect a deep belief in the power of color and its connection to beauty and goodness. Thomas had her first exhibition at Howard University at the age of 75.  In 1924 she became the first graduate of Howard University's art department.