Yates was born on May 6, 1940, on a farm in Shubuta, Mississippi to Gleta and Robert Graham.

[2] Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, her mother was a teacher and her father a farmer.

[1] Yates completed studies at the Boston University School of Theology.

[1] For two years, Yates worked half time at both her alma mater and United.

[1] She later worked full time at the University of Minnesota, helping to create its women studies program.