Post by Christopher Hughes

Unsung Pioneers: Marie Maynard Daly We take it for granted today that high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase our risk of heart attacks. But that understanding exists largely because of a woman most of us have never heard of — Dr. Marie Maynard Daly. Born in Queens, New York, in 1921, Marie grew up in a modest household where books were treasured. Her father had studied chemistry at Cornell University but was forced to leave when he could no longer afford the fees. He never lost his love of science — and he passed that love to his daughter. Marie worked tirelessly, earning scholarships through every stage of her education until, in 1947, she became the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemistry in the United States. Her pioneering research revealed how cholesterol and hypertension damage the heart and arteries — discoveries that shaped modern medicine. She also explored the effects of sugar on arteries and the mechanisms of protein synthesis in cells. Daly’s legacy is not only scientific but deeply human: a reminder that brilliance can come from humble beginnings, and that opportunity — once given — can change the world. She worked tirelessly to promote female scientists of colour during much of her life. Some heroes wear lab coats. Daly (Now Clark after her marriage to physician Vincent Clark in 1961) was recognized for her achievements with various honors. In 1999 the National Technical Association identified her as one of its Top 50 Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology. In 2016, administrators at a new elementary school in Queens announced that the school would be named after her. Let’s remember them, too.