When it comes to the field of science, history often only recognizes the contributions of a select few individuals, many of whom are white males. However, there are countless Black scientists whose achievements have been overlooked and forgotten. In this article, we will celebrate the achievements of a subset of Black scientists who were overlooked by history and shed light on their groundbreaking discoveries.
Percy Julian: The Pioneer of Medicinal Chemistry
Percy Julian was an African American chemist who was instrumental in the development of medicinal chemistry. Despite facing discrimination and racism, Julian made significant contributions to the field, including the synthesis of important drugs such as cortisone, which is used to treat arthritis, and physostigmine, used to treat glaucoma. He also developed a process for synthesizing progesterone, which was used in the production of birth control pills. Julian’s work paved the way for future advancements in the field of medicinal chemistry and helped to improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Mae Jemison: The First Black Woman in Space
Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to travel to space, but her journey was far from easy. Despite facing racism and sexism, Jemison pursued her dreams and made history when she served as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. She was a physician, engineer, and astronaut who also worked on various projects with NASA before and after her space flight, and later founded a technology company to promote science education in underprivileged communities.
Shirley Ann Jackson: The Leader in Nuclear Physics
Shirley Ann Jackson is a theoretical physicist who has made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics (more specifically, the study of subatomic particles). She was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT and the first woman and first Black person to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Celebrating her groundbreaking research and her leadership continues to promote and encourage diversity and inclusion in STEM.
Benjamin Banneker: The Mathematician and Astronomer
Benjamin Banneker was an African American mathematician and astronomer who lived from 1731 to 1806. He was a self-taught man who used his knowledge of math and astronomy to accurately predict solar and lunar eclipses. He also created a series of almanacs that contained weather predictions, astronomical information, and other useful data. Banneker was also involved in surveying the land that would eventually become Washington, D.C. and was a vocal critic of slavery and racism. He is considered one of the earliest African American scientists and a pioneer in the field of astronomy.
Katherine Johnson: The Mathematician Who Helped Send Astronauts to Space
Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician who made significant contributions to the early U.S. space program, including calculating trajectories for the first American in space and the first moon landing. Despite facing discrimination and segregation as a woman and a Black person, Johnson’s precise mathematical calculations were crucial to the success of many NASA missions. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and her story was popularized in the book and movie “Hidden Figures.”
Final Thoughts
For the most part, history has often overlooked the contributions of Black scientists, but their achievements have had a significant impact on the field of science and the world as a whole. By celebrating the lives and work of these “hidden figures,” we can inspire future generations of Black scientists and create a more diverse and inclusive scientific community.
References
3. Smith, Jessie Carney, and Shirelle Phelps, editors. “Black Women in Science and Medicine.” African American Lives, edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Oxford University Press, 2004, pp. 95–118.