Cunningham (Fern) is born in New York City.

The daughter of Dr. James and artist Margaret (Barnes) Cunningham, Fern Cunningham graduates from Boston University where she studies with John Wilson, and teaches at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts and at the Park School for more than 30 years. She becomes best known for her public sculptures in Boston honoring the African-American experience. Cunningham dies in Boston on August 19, 2020, and is buried in Forest Hills Cemetery.