via Flickr
Growing up, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson was a curious little girl who conducted her own studies, like those on the eating habits of honeybees.
Encouraged by parents who valued education, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she was the first Black woman to earn a doctorate - a Ph.D. in nuclear physics!
But that wasn’t Dr. Jackson’s only “first!” She was also the first Black woman to lead a national research university and the first Black woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
Dr. Jackson’s incredible research laid the foundation for many breakthroughs that we are thankful for, including fiber optic cables and the tech behind caller ID and call waiting!
Dr. Jackson’s career has continued to be highly lauded, including an appointment by former President Barack Obama to Co-Chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory. And currently, Dr. Jackson sits as president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the oldest and premier technological research university in the country!
Far too often, Black women’s contributions to society go unrecognized, so let's take the time to applaud Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson for her incredible work!