THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT
Mildred Dresselhaus, PhD.
“Queen of Carbon Science”
November 11, 1930 – February 20, 2017
“Discouraging girls from pursuing math and science not only cheats them as individuals, but also squanders one of our country’s most precious resources – the brain power of half its citizens.”
Physicist, materials scientist, nanotechnologist. Renowned for her efforts to promote the cause of women in science. Professor of physics and electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The first woman to secure a full professorship at M.I.T., 1968. Organized the first Women’s Forum at M.I.T. to explore the roles of women in science, 1971. Served as the president of the American Physical Society, the chair of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and director of science in the US Department of Energy with the Clinton Administration.
More About Mildred:
- Obituary, The New York Times
- Celebrating the life and work of trailblazing physicist and engineer, MIT Professor Emerita Mildred Dresselhaus, the Carbon Queen, by Maia Weinstock, Science Editor, Writer, and Media Producer March 16, 2022
- Carbon Queen, The Remarkable Life of Nanoscience Pioneer Mildred Dresselhaus, by Maia Weinstock
- How a Nobel-winning biophysicist launched the career of the “Queen of Carbon”
- How I Found Nanoscience, as Told by Mildred S. Dresselhaus
- Wikipedia page
- Cited in Barbara Love’s book, Feminists Who Changed America 1963-1975, page 124