Hidden No More: Week 16 round-up
Ernest Everett Just, Biologist
Just made fundamental breakthroughs in cell biology in the early 20th. century. His meticulous research using marine invertebrate eggs illuminated the role of the cell surface in fertilization and development.
Angie Turner King, Educator & Mentor
King earned a Ph.D. in math education in 1955, but she had been teaching for years. “Hidden Figure” Katherine Johnson, her student at West Virginia State College’s laboratory high school, remembered her as “a wonderful teacher.”
Flemmie Kittrell, Nutritionist & Educator
In 1936, Kittrell became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in home economics. Based at Howard University for 27 years, she traveled widely and rose to prominence as an international expert on nutrition.
Annie Turnbo Malone, Inventor & Entrepreneur
In 1900, Malone started a business to distribute beauty products she formulated, including the Great Wonderful Hair Grower. She gave the company an African name, Poro. By the 1920s, Poro had made her a multi-millionaire.
Elijah McCoy, Inventor
McCoy’s improvement in lubricators for steam engines was patented in 1872. Working on the Michigan Central Railroad, he had to oil the engines by hand when they stopped. His device, a cup with a valve, released oil as the engines moved.