Jeanette E. Brown

Institute of Technology, May 6, 2005

Jeanette E. Brown earned a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1958. She was the first African American woman to earn a graduate degree from the chemistry department. She worked as a chemist for CIBA Pharmaceutical Company (now Novartis) for eleven years and then for Merck and Co. for twenty-six years. Following her retirement in 1995, she served as a Faculty Associate in the Department of Pre-College Programs with the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Then, as the Statewide Systemic Initiative Coordinator, she served as the chief professional developer of K-8 teachers. She also served as a curriculum trainer for middle school teachers. Improving math and science education for all students was her main focus. Because of her exemplary career, she was named an "Outstanding Woman in Science" by the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the Association of Women in Science and to the Hunter College Hall of Fame for her mentorship of minority students and her work with Project SEED. She is currently working on a writing project about the history of African American women chemists for Harvard University's "African American Lives Series." The National American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences will be presented to her this year.