Celebration of (Black) Women’s History Month

In celebration of “Women’s History Month” let me share with you some women that, more than likely, many of you have no memory or even knowledge of. They are “All” African American women.

1) 5/13/1872-11/17/1935- Prof. Matilda Evans – Dr. Evans was the first African American woman to be licensed as a physician in the state of South Carolina. She opened the first hospital for African Americans in Columbia, South Carolina, and introduced the idea of providing free medical examinations for public school children. She also opened a training school for nurses. In 1918 Dr. Evans became a registered volunteer on the Medical Service Corps of the United States Army. Professor/Dr. Evans passed away Nov.17, 1935 at the age of 63.

2) 11/20/1919-2/19/2013 – Dr. Jane C. Wright, daughter of Dr. Louis Wright, followed in her father’s distinguished footsteps-first into medicine, later into cancer research. Motivated by the challenge to find a cure, and by her concern to help cancer patients live more comfortable and worthwhile lives, she had been engaged in chemotherapy research since 1949. Dr. Wright received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to cancer chemotherapy research, including a salute from the American Association for Cancer Research. Dr. Wright became assistant professor of research surgery at New York University Medical College in 1956 and adjunct associate professor there in 1961.

She had been professor of surgery at New York Medical College since 1967 and was still striving to find a cure for cancer.

She also served as Associate Dean of New York Medical College from 1967-1975, the highest post in medical administration attained at that time by a woman. Dr. Wright also served as president of the New York Cancer Society, as a trustee of Smith College, as a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and as a member of the President’s Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke. Dr. Wright passed away Feb.19, 2013 at the age of 94.

3) 1/17/24-1/1/2017 – Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb-Biologist, Physiologist- Dr. Cobb had managed to pursue three careers-in science, education and administration-and achieved remarkable success in each. A graduate of Talladega College, Dr. Cobb earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in cell physiology from New York University. She was first and foremost a scientist, whose research led to discoveries concerning normal and malignant pigment cells. While fascinated by her work in cell physiology and cancer research, she had never been able to exclusively limit her energy to the laboratory. Her love of science had enabled her to spark her students’ curiosity in biology, anatomy, research surgery and zoology. She developed programs to reach out to minority students, and was a charter member of Connecticut’s Committee for Minority Involvement in Higher Education. She encouraged greater representation of women in science-related fields. She was Dean of Douglass College, the women’s division of New Jersey’s Rutgers University, combining the top administrative post with holding high faculty rank in biological sciences. In 1981 Dr. Cobb’s career was launched in a new direction with her assumption of the presidency of California State University at Fullerton. She was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees from colleges and universities. Dr. Cobb also sat on the boards of directors of leading educational, public service, arts and business institutions. Dr. Plummer Cobb passed away on Jan.1, 2017 at the age of 93.

4) 4/23/33-6/25/2011- Annie Easley Computer Scientist- Annie Easley was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 23, 1933. She was among a group of women who made major contributions to energy research and management. Ms. Easley was engaged in research at NASA’s Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. She developed and implemented computer codes used in solar, wind, and other energy projects. Ms. Easley’s energy assignments have included studies to determine the life of storage batteries (e.g.,those used in electric vehicles) and to identify energy conversion systems that offered the greatest improvement over commercially available technology.

Easley, while at NASA, and it’s predecessor agency since 1955, continued her education in 1977. She obtained a degree in mathematics from Cleveland State University. Annie Easley passed away on June 25, 2011 at the age of 78.

The above information was taken from “Creations and Recreations of The African Family in the U.S.A” (Inventions, Science, and Industry) By Albert Morris

Hopefully, our African American youth’s eyes will view this and realize that we, as a people, have been great contributors to society throughout the years. Being that this is “Women’s History” month I felt that I would share with my readers some of our women’s accomplishments, of which there are many. I do not know to what degree our school system is teaching any of this history to our students ,therefore hopefully, our youth’s eyes will gaze upon this information.

Truthfully, it would be “AWESOME” if the NAACP would start sharing this type of information with their youth department.

Also, it would be “AWESOME” if our churches also would start sharing this type of information with our youth, because many years ago that’s where our youth were taught. We need to go back to the old way because too many of our youth are being lost . Lord have mercy.

Hopefully, “NU-Voters Organization” and also the new “Youth” organization that the city has just organized, will begin to enlighten the youth to the many contributions that African Americans have contributed to society. They need to know that there is so much more that has been birthed from our people other than music, sports and violence. That would stir up much pride inside of our African American youth and much respect coming forth from our other youth! Yes! Yes! Yes!

This is Lillie’s Point of View” and I’m just having my say.
PEACE!