Black Women

Black Women In Science and Technology

Nzingha NommoPresident Afri-Ware Books & Giftswww.afriware.net

Medical Apartheid Harriet WashingtonDedication to the countless who donated their bodies to Science. involuntarily

Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca SklootThe comments for this presentation are dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives so that we may live.Check the StatsFrom 1923 to 1947, 12 Blacks earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics.1925 The first african american to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics (Cornell University) was Elbert Frank Cox. There were 28 Ph.D.'s awarded in the United States that year. However, nearly 20 years would pass before the first african american Women would earn a Ph.D.Less than 1% of all mathematicians are Black. 25% of these are women.

Ref: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/madhist.html

Title:Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions & Scientific Experiments, Inventions & Discoveries of the Ancient World

By Robert E. Krebs and Carolyn A. KrebsCopyright 2003Check the Texts

Although the archaeological history of Egypt dates back 5,000 years, there are no technical records or writings dealing with Egyptian astronomy until the first millennium B.C.E., Egypts conquest by Persia. The Egyptians used simple astronomical methods to measure time and to develop accurate calendars as well as to align their buildings with the stars. Egyptian astronomers charted different from Western astronomers. They were also able to observe the planets of Venus, Mars, Saturn, J upiter, and perhaps even Mercury.Egyptian astronomy began to flourish after Egypts conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.E. Many of the Egyptian astronomers were in fact of Greek heritage, and Egyptian astronomy during this period was, in actuality, Hellenistic in character.Egyptian Astronomers of Greek Heritage?Since the beginning of time.The Black Woman was an integral part of the Science used to chart the motion of the celestial bodies of the universe as shown in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics (1,500 B.C.) found in the tombs.

Circa 1500 BC, Rhind Mathematical Papyrus

Circa 1500 BC, Rhind Mathematical Papyrushttp://luxuryluxortrips.com/Full-Day-Dendara---Abydos.html

Brochure states:Dendara Temple is famous for it's astronomy scenes and zodiac signs on the ceilings. The Temple is of the Greek/Roman period and is the only temple to have a calendar on the ceiling.

Greek and Roman period???HYPATHIA of ALEXANDRIA

Professor of Mathematics, Philosophy, Astronomy, InventorPictured: Astrolabe instrument HYPATHIACirca 350AD 415 AD Only female Scientist of the Ancient World Professor of Philosophy, Mathematics and AstronomyInvented the Astrolabe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiUgBeb2vtk Invented the Hydrometer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCSrvU0X8b8Her contributions to science are reputed to include the charting of celestial bodies

There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. Having succeeded to the school of Plato and Plotinus, she explained the principles of philosophy to her auditors, many of whom came from a distance to receive her instructions. On account of the self-possession and ease of manner, which she had acquired in consequence of the cultivation of her mind, she not unfrequently appeared in public in presence of the magistrates. Neither did she feel abashed in going to an assembly of men. For all men on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue admired her the more.Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History

Comprehensive Ref:http://www.polyamory.org/~howard/Hypatia/books.html

Dr. Christine Darden

Aeronautical EngineerDr. Christine Darden1942- ) American Aeronautical EngineerChristine Darden conducts research for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the effects of the sonic booms created by supersonic aircraft, such as their contribution to noise pollution and their potential depletion of the ozone layer. She also investigates means of reducing, if not altogether eliminating, these negative effects. In order to facilitate her research, she wrote a computer software program that simulates a sonic boom under experimental conditions in a wind tunnel.Duties - started with routine calculations, then she began to write computer programs for the engineers. NASA promoted her to the rank of aerospace engineer in 1973.

Darden then took advantage of NASAs incentives to continue her education by conducting doctoral study in mathematics and engineering science with George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She earned her Ph.D. in 1983 and further continued her education by attending management classes conducted by NASA to promote employees into research administration positions.1989 promotion to lead the Sonic Boom Team.Darden led her team in designing and testing new wing designs and nose-cone shapes in attempts to improve aerodynamics and decrease the effects of sonic booms. She published her findings in more than 40 journal articles. Two of her better-known publications were The Importance of Sonic Boom Research in the Development of Future High Speed Aircraft, in the winter 1992 issue of the Journal of the National Technical Association, and Study of the Limitations of Linear Theory Methods As Applied to Sonic Boom Pressure Signatures, in the November-December 1993 issue of the Journal of Aircraft. Darden also generated several mathematical algorithms specifically oriented toward sonic boom research.Dr. Christine Darden, contdhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d9A2oq1N38 Sonic Booms to 2:05Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb

BiologistBiology revisitedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV822HfqT44&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SPB4DB6D21004EBD00Scientist, EducatorEducation: Talladega College, BA, in biology 1944;New York University, MS, 1947, PhD, 1950. masters degree in cell physiology in 1947 and her doctorate in the same field) New York Univ., instructor, 1955-56, assistant professor, 1956-60; Hunter College, visiting lecturer, 1956-57; Sarah Lawrence College, biology professor, 1960-69; Connecticut College, zoology professor, dean, 1969-76; Rutgers Univ., Douglass College, biology professor, dean, 1976-81; California State Univ. Fullerton, president, 1981-90, president emerita, 1990-

Awards: Research grant, American Cancer Society, 1969-74, 1971-73, 1974-77; Natl Academy of Science, Lifetime Achievement Award, 1993; Ronald Wilson Award, American Council on Education, 2001; 21 honorary doctorates Including: Wheaton College, 1971; Lowell Technical Institute, 1972; Pennsylvania Medical College, 1975; City College of the City Univ, of New York; St. Lawrence Univ., College of New Rochelle; Tuskegee Univ,; Fairleigh Dickinson Univ.

Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb contdAccomplishmentsIn the lab Cobb focused on cellular biology, which observes the action and interaction of living cells, instead of molecular biology, which observes mainly atoms and molecules that make up cells. At the National Cancer Institute she studied the effects of chemotherapy drugs on human cells infected with cancer, producing research that is still used today in creating new and more effective tools to fight cancer.

Cultural ConnectionBetween 1976 and 1981, Cobb became dean and professor of biological sciences at Douglass College ( a school within Rutgers University), as dean and professor of biological sciences. It was here that she continued to push for students of color in science fields, both by creating new programs and sharing with the community the need to increase the number represented.Paper in 1979 entitled Filters for Women in Science, was published in the book Expanding the Role of Women in Sciences, and reprinted in the Annals of New York Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb contdDr. Shirley Ann Jackson

Theoretical PhysicistTheoretical Physicist

She was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in 1973 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in physics

Dr. Jackson studied and conducted research in subatomic particles at the Fermi National Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois where she studied hadrons and AT&T Bell Laboratories examining the fundamental properties of various materials. She also conducted research at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland where she explored theories of strongly interacting elementary particles.

She was appointed as the chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 1995. She is current president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She was inducted into the National Womens Hall of Fame in 1998 for her significant contributions as a distinguished scientist and advocate for science education.

Dr. Jackson is author of over 100 published scientific papers on solid state physics, semiconductor systems and related topics during her 20 years as a research physicist at Bell Laboratories. In 1999 she became president of Rensselaer Polytechnic institute where one of her goals was to increase the representation of African Americans among science students.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vVH3OujAWU&feature=relatedMeet Shirley Ann JacksonDr. Patricia Suzanne Cowings

Psychophysiologist

Psychophysiologist Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orzOkc-IxAk orhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ47SGM7gDA&playnext=1&list=PLAAAC4A151A1F57F2Inventor of biofeedback system called the autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise Systems and Methods (U.S. Patent 5,694,939), originally developed to faciliaate human adaptation to space.

http://www.eiu.edu/~wism/about_biographies.php - BioPatricia Suzanne CowingsDoesn't matter where you are from or what you look like. Doesn't matter if you're poor. A human being can learn and can achieve whatever they set out to do (or come near to it). I've spent my life studying human potentialand stretching my own.

Don't give up. No matter how bad or scary it gets. Not even when you ask yourself "What am I doing here?" Dr.Patricia S. CowingsDr. Patricia Suzanne Cowings contdMae Carol Jemison

Physician, AstronautDr. Mae Carol JemisonPhysician, Astronauthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ47SGM7gDAs

Dr. Donna May G. SakuraPh. D, Civil Engineering Dr. Donna-May G. Sakura-Lemessy joined Albany State University as a research scientist in the Flint River Water Planning and Policy Center and a professor of engineering in the Department of Natural Sciences in the Fall of 2005.Her research expertise is in hydrologic modeling, with particular emphasis on simulation of physical, chemical and biological processes in aquatic environments, urban runoff, the fate and transport of environmental pollutants, TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Loads) analyses, Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing analysis and irrigation.Over the last 10 years, Dr. Sakura-Lemessy has conducted water resources

Advice/Inspiration - I was inspired by the challenges of conservation and sustainability issues and the environmental degradation precipitated by decades of environmentally irresponsible oil exploration in the country of my birth Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, the degradation to US watersheds brought about by non-point source pollutants from urban runoff and industrial waste have also be sources of concern for me pursuing this professional pathway.

Dr. Donna May G. Sakura contdParents should encourage their girls to be equally interested and develop competence in math and science and not fall victim to common misconceptions that girls, particularly African-American girls are incapable of excelling in these subject areas.Publications:Sakura-Lemessy, D. (with others) 2010. Enhanced Estimation of Terrestrial Loadings for TMDLs: Normalization Approach. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 136(3)357-365. Sakura-Lemessy, D. with others (2009). Watershed scale fate and transport of bacteria. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Volume 52(1): 145 - 154.Sakura-Lemessy, D. and M. Masters (2007) Incidental recharge in the Lower Flint River Basin: agricultural irrigation and consumptive use. Proceedings of the 2007 Georgia Water Resources Conference, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Dr. Donna May G. Sakura contdDr. Mary Spio"Deep Space Engineer" is the title the Syracuse and Georgia Tech alumna gave Mary Spio at Ultra Corp before moving on to PanAmSat Corporation as a Senior Satellite Applications Engineer. Spio began gaining notoriety in her field when she joined Boeing in 2001 as the head of Satellite Communications Systems at just age 26. A Rocket Scientist to the bone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne7mN0Am38o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-JTxskPgDM - interview

Mary Spio Interview -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-JTxskPgDM

Dr. Mary Spio contdDr. Antoinette Jackson

Ph.D., Anthropology, University of Florida Gainesville

MBA, Xavier University - Cincinnati, Ohio

B.A., Computer and Information Science, Ohio State University - Columbus

Selected Articles (online access)Imagining Jehossee Island Rice Plantation Today-http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a790566994~db=all~jumptype=rssChanging Ideas about Heritage and Heritage Resource Management in Historically Segregated Communities--http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1548-7466.2010.01075.x/abstractKingsley Plantation Studyhttp://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/timu/timu_ethno.pdfDr. Antoinette Jackson contdDr. Antoinette Jackson photojournal:

http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=2986&z=38