Fall 2022 ACS Meeting Poster
The Chemical Bulletin by the Chicago Section ACS:
Engaging Chemists for Over One Hundred Years
The Progressive Mindset of Chicago Women Chemists
Margaret E. Schott
Beginning with the founding of The Chicago Chemical Bulletin in October 1914, one can glean information on Chicago-area women chemists across the decades. Topics included the appropriate education and training of women in the sciences, degrees earned, articles written by women, editorials in support of women’s involvement in the Section, job ads, the formation of honorary scientific fraternities, visits by prominent women chemists, technical talks given by women, and the numerous women who took on leadership roles in the Chicago Section. A brief timeline of women’s milestones gives some indication of progress as recorded in the bulletin.
Women and the Early Chicago Section with Selected References to the Bulletin
Bulletin Issue |
Reportage on Women’s Issues |
|
1914 – October |
First bulletin issue |
|
1915 – March |
Ida Noyes Hall, aka “The Women’s Building,” is under construction at the University of Chicago |
|
1916 – April |
Katharine Blunt writes article “Chemistry as a Field for Women” reviewing current employment scene including limitations. “The aspirant for it must have beside thorough training, love of her subject, fair physical strength, ability to work hard, think straight, see far, and use initiative.” April 1916, #224 p48 |
|
1916 – November |
Bulletin publishes letters received in response to appeal for input on women’s participation in the Section. November 1916, #321 p146 |
|
1916 – December |
“K.F.” (Katharine Favill) writes survey summary, “Our Women Members,” and suggests women’s dinner idea. December 1916, #351 p176 |
|
1917 – September |
“War Brings the Woman Chemist” by “C.A.” |
|
1918 – January |
U.S. Civil Service announces competitive examination open to women; special need for physical, biological, and metallurgical chemists. |
|
1918 – March |
“Women as Analysts” editorial urges ACS to promote the enrollment of women in chemistry at the college level. |
|
1918 – December |
First “Ladies Night” Section meeting run by women with main address by Dr. Katharine Blunt (UC) on “Some Recent Chemical Researches on the Preparation of Food”. December 1916, #792 p213 The meeting scores rave reviews in subsequent bulletin issues. Ladies Night programs continue for a number of years. |
|
1919 – 1920s |
Ethyl Terry is 1st Vice-Chair of the Section, and ACS Councilor; Elizabeth Wierick is Second Vice-Chair and Secretary. |
|
1920 – August |
Chicago Section hosts National ACS Meeting; Ethyl Terry organizes committee of 80 for Women’s Entertainment. Technical presentations are given by 12 women. August 2020, #233 p208 |
|
1921 – March |
Bulletin publishes “A Series of Confessions” by male and female college students on “Why I Chose Chemistry”. The influence of chemistry is noted in the areas of intellect, food and drink, clothing, shelter, war, and healt. March 1921, #76 p68 |
|
1921 – June / July |
Visit by Marie Curie to receive the Gibbs Medal. June 1921, #153 p145 Women chemists of the Chicago area and across the nation collected funds toward the purchase of 1 gram of radium for Curie’s research. |
|
1921 – October |
Chicago-area women participate with American Association of University Women in preparing a report on “The Training of Women Chemists” for the Bureau of Vocational Information. [The book “Women in Chemistry,” published in 1922, acknowledges the contributions of Chicago-area women chemists.] October 1921, #232 p232 |
|
1922 – March |
Professor Ruth O’Brien contributes article on “The Chemist in the Dyeing and Cleaning Industry”; encourages the study of textiles chemistry for this emerging field. February 1922, #25 p25 |
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1922 – May |
Chi Che Wang contributes article on “Hospital Chemistry”; discusses bright outlook for chemists who are “accurate, economical, alert, and swift . . . and have a thorough knowledge of both biochemistry and pathological chemistry.” May 1922, #117 p117 |
|
1924 – May |
Ruth O’Brien (UC) contributes article on “Chemistry Courses for Women” noting continuing unfair hiring practices, while emphasizing the need for robust professional preparation for careers. May 1924, #146 p128 |
|
1939–1945 |
Wartime advertisements for Civil Service Examinations open to men and women. |
|
1942 – October |
Illinois Institute of Technology opens the nation’s first war-training course in metallurgy exclusively for women; other IIT programs train women for war jobs including industrial chemistry. |
|
1949–1950 |
Mary Alexander serves as first woman editor of The Chemical Bulletin. |
|
1956 – 1957 |
Hoylande Young is first woman Chair of the Section; others follow in 1980 (Margaret Huston), 1986 (Adele Rozek), 1989 (L. Jewel Nichols), 2000 (Fran Kravitz) and more. |
|
1958 – June |
Ethaline Cortelyou contributes article “Utilizing WomanPower to Combat the Alleged Shortage of Chemists”, partly in response to the nation’s post-Sputnik push to advance science and engineering. June 1958, #210 p18 |
Notable pages of the Chemical Bulletin
Announcement of Marie Curie's Gibbs Medal Ceremony
Special "Ladies Night" Section Meeting - 1918
Special "Ladies Night" Section Meeting - 1922
1955: Holyande Young, First Woman Chair of the Chicago Section (and first woman division head at Argonne National Laboratory)
