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CHANGING THE EQUATION by Tonya Bolden

CHANGING THE EQUATION

50+ US Black Women in STEM

by Tonya Bolden

Pub Date: March 3rd, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4197-0734-6
Publisher: Abrams

African American women in the past and present have overcome racial and gender barriers to succeed in STEM fields.

Bolden begins by providing background and context, explaining that traditionally STEM’s definition did not include medical fields. Bolden, however, does include women from those areas, including Dr. Rebecca Crumpler, who “earned her MD in 1864—four years before black people in America had citizenship.” Dr. Crumpler, like many discussed, combined her scientific knowledge with a commitment to serve the community. In the period after the Civil War that saw the establishment of black colleges, many of the subjects received degrees and taught in those schools. Following Plessy v. Ferguson, some worked in the institutions available to serve blacks. While there are obvious similarities in the stories presented, there were also some unique situations, such as Ida Gray Nelson Rollins’. The first black woman doctor of dental surgery, she came to the field after working for two white dentists who encouraged her. Many more were mentored by other African Americans who recognized their talents. Contemporary biographees include video game developers, computer scientists, and a founder of a nonprofit organization that encourages black girls to learn coding. Bolden’s lively text, accompanied by archival images, underscores the importance of sharing these stories to understand the long tradition of black women striving in these areas.

A worthy addition to the effort to tell a more complete and compelling American history.

(source notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)