Science
Discover Black women's legacies month by month. Explore history's milestones and celebrate the remarkable achievements of influential figures.
Showing 0 of 150
Jan 1
January

Dr. Jessie Isabelle Price
Dr. Price (1930-2015), the "Duck Doctor," was an eminent veterinary microbiologist and an authority on avian diseases, particularly those affecting ducks and other waterfowl. She conducted extensive research on parasites, infections, viruses, and microbial diseases that impacted these birds and developed vaccines to protect them against a spectrum of diseases. Dr. Price's vaccines have been used by duck, turkey, and pigeon farmers across North America.
Pennsylvania
Jan 5
January

Mary Elliott Hill
Hill (1907-1969) was an organic and analytical chemist, educator, and one of the first Black women to earn a Master's in Chemistry. She co-authored over 40 research papers and published two textbooks with her husband, General College Chemistry and Experiments in Organic Chemistry.
North Carolina
Jan 16
January

Phyllis Bolds
Bolds (1932-2018) worked for the U.S. Air Force as a civilian for 30 years, including service at the United States Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. She was awarded with the Systems Command Certificate of Merit for her years of service and credited her with the enhancement of the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit "stealth" bomber. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base designated her as a "Hidden Figure," recognizing her place among pioneering African American women who advanced military aviation.
No items found.
Jan 17
January

Jewel Plummer Cobb
Cobb (1924-2017) was a cell biologist and cancer researcher whose work led to her discovery that methotrexate was effective in treating certain skin cancers, lung cancers, and childhood leukemia. Beyond her scientific achievements, she broke barriers in academia as one of the first African American women to earn a Ph.D. in cell physiology and served as a dean at Connecticut College and Douglass College before becoming president of California State University, Fullerton, making her one of the first African American women to lead a major U.S. university.
Illinois
Feb 4
February

Dr. Beth Brown
Motivated by her childhood love for Star Wars and Star Trek, Dr. Brown (1969-2008) became an Astrophysicist in the Sciences and Exploration Directorate at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. She was also the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan's Department of Astronomy.
Virginia
Mar 30
March

Alma Levant Hayden
Hayden (1927-1967) was a chemist who specialized in spectrophotometry and chromatography. She's believed to be the first Black scientist to work for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She graduated from South Carolina State College (an HBCU) and earned a Master's degree in Chemistry from Howard University (an HBCU). In the 1950s she joined the National Institutes of Health, and in 1956 she joined the FDA as an analytical chemist. In 1963, she was named director of the Spectrophotometer Research Branch in the Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
South Carolina
Apr 9
April

Virginia
Apr 16
April

Dr. Marie Maynard Daly
Dr. Daly (1921-2003), an extraordinary biochemist and trailblazer, was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry and the first Black person to receive a doctoral degree from Columbia University. Daly's pioneering research, spanning over 20 peer-reviewed publications, covered cardiovascular health, digestion, protein synthesis, and many other areas. Her work advanced the understanding of heart disease, cholesterol, and metabolic disorders.
New York
Apr 18
April

Mamie Phipps Clark
Clark (1917-1983) is well known for her groundbreaking "Doll Tests," conducted as part of her master's thesis at Howard University. Using black and white dolls, she asked children a series of questions to study the psychological effects of segregation on African American children.
Arkansas
Apr 24
April

Yvonne Cagle
Cagle (1959) is a Physician, U.S. Air Force Colonel (ret.), NASA astronaut, and educator.
New York
May 14
May

Jessica Watkins
NASA Astronaut, Geologist, Aquanaut, Athlete, Aviator, and the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long term mission.
Maryland
Aug 3
August

Joan Higginbotham
NASA Astronaut, Electrical Engineer, and the third black woman to travel into Space.
Illinois
Aug 5
August

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson
Dr. Jackson is the first Black woman to graduate with a doctorate in particle physics. She holds her Bachelor's degree in Physics (1968) and her Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics (1973), both from MIT.
Washington D.C.
Sep 4
September

Dr. Margaret Strickland Collins
Entomologist nicknamed “the termite lady” for her pioneering work in termite biology, behavior, and control methods. Her groundbreaking work revolutionized the pest control industry.
West Virginia
Sep 10
September

Christine Darden
Mathematician, aeronautical engineer, "human computer", and data analyst who worked at NASA for nearly 40 years. She was one of the "Hidden Figures" who made significant contributions to NASA's space program and she became the first Black woman at NASA's Langley Research Center to be promoted to Senior Executive Service.
North Carolina
Sep 27
September

Stephanie Wilson
NASA Astronaut, Aerospace engineer, and the second black woman to travel into Space.
Massachusetts
No results found.
There are no results with this criteria. Try changing your search.
Stay Inspired Daily!
Sign up to receive daily notifications celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black women throughout history.