Joyce Sparer Adler was born in New York City, the daughter of Louis and Lillian (Solomon) Lifshutz.

[citation needed] She stayed for five years, during which time she was actively involved in the political events that led to the independence of Guyana from Great Britain.

While in Guyana, she wrote the study Attitudes Towards 'Race' in Guyanese Literature (San Juan: University of Puerto Rico, 1968).

[3] She lived in Shaftsbury, Vermont for the remainder of her life, raising three of her grandchildren after the death of her daughter Ellen in 1975.

Adler traveled extensively, speaking at conferences and universities around the world, [citation needed] including Australia, Belgium, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

In addition to her professional work, Adler was a committed social activist[citation needed] who engaged in many peace and civil rights movements throughout her life.