Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors [Abridged] [Hardcover]

Otha Richard Sullivan (Author), Jim Haskins (Editor)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up | Series: Black Stars

Meet African american women of science and invention from the early years to modern Times

Patricia Bath, M.D.
Miriam E. Benjamin
Ursula Burns
Alexa Canady, M.D.
Jewel Plummer Cobb, Ph.D.
Ellen F. Eglin
Angela D. Ferguson, M.D.
Sara E. Goode
Evelyn Boyd Granville, Ph.D.
Dannellia Gladden Green, Ph.D.
Bessie Blount Griffin
Betty Wright Harris, Ph.D.
Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
Aprille Joy Ericsson Jackson, Ph.D.
Mae Jemison, M.D.
Marjorie Stewart Joyner, Ph.D.
Mary Kenner
Reatha Clark King, Ph.D.
Annie Turnbo Malone
Mildred Austin Smith
Valerie Thomas
Madame C. J. Walker
Jane Cooke Wright, M.D.
Roger Arliner Young, Ph.D.
Chavonda J. Jacobs Young, Ph.D.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-This companion to Sullivan's African American Inventors (Wiley, 1998) profiles 26 women, beginning with Ellen F. Eglin, who was born in 1849 and invented a clothes-wringer, and concluding with Chavonda J. Jacobs Young, who was born in 1967 and has been a research scientist and professor. There is some crossover between the two titles. The introduction discusses the lack of information on the contributions of African-American women and the historical reasons for it. Each brief biography describes the subject's background and achievements, and, in some cases, the obstacles that she had to overcome. Coverage ranges from well-known individuals, such as Madame C. J. Walker, to the lesser known, such as Miriam E. Benjamin, who patented a gong-and-signal chair that was used in the U.S. House of Representatives. When available, black-and-white pictures have been included, as well as photographs and or drawings of certain inventions. This much-needed book is a fine supplement to units on inventors and inventions, and would be useful in multicultural studies.
Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

This latest gem in the Black Stars Series brings African American women of science and invention to life. Countless African American women have made important contributions to science that impact the way we live, work, and think today. Too often their accomplishments have gone unrecorded. African American Women Scientists and Inventors introduces you to some of these outstanding women and their achievements.

Here are lively profiles of both unsung and legendary heroines spanning three hundred years of American history. For example, find out how:

Madame C. J. Walker emerged from a heritage of slavery to develop the "Walker System" of hair care that allowed her to employ thousands, fund foundations and scholarships to help young African Americans——and become the first woman millionaire.

Bessie Blount Griffin, a physical therapist, invented a device to help the disabled feed themselves.

Angela D. Ferguson, M.D., discovered a way to detect sickle cell anemia in newborns.

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in physics, became a leader in her field. She was the first African American to become president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, where she teaches today.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047138707X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471387077
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Stars:African American Women Scientist, November 11, 2001

By 

Betty Nyangoni (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors (Hardcover)

This book is about African American women scientists and inventors, a rarity indeed.Reportedly African Americans in general comprise 4.5% of all science and engineering professionals today.So to read about the significant contributions of these pioneering women is both revealing and uplifting.Some of those profiled are somewhat well known;such as Madame C. J. Walker.She is known for her million dollar hair care business. Others are not so well known, such as Dr. Angela Furguson who joined with Dr. Ronald Scott in researching sickle cell anemia at Howard University.
Unfortunately the African American women scientists and inventors have been left out of mainstream history even as some African American men scientists have been included. Most of us are familiar with the contributions of George Washington Carver, who is credited with discovering 100 uses for the sweet potato and more than 300 uses for the common peanut in his lab at Tuskegee Institute. Also we are equally aware of Benjamin Banneker, who is widely hailed as inventing the first clock and assisting in the laying out of the design for the Nation's Capital, Washington, DC with Charles L'Enfant.
The author makes a laudable contribution for filling in existing historical omissions regarding African American women scientists. He brings to our attention warm inspiring stories along with factual historical information.
Teachers, other educators, parents and anyone else involved in the unending search to supplement traditional textbooks in order to ensure broader inclusion, will welcome this book. In doing so they too will expand their own knowledge and understanding of the subject. One does not need to be in the fields of science, engineering nor medicine to appreciate the message in African American Women Inventors. For the message transcends traditional borders or disciplines of study. The biographical descriptions of the featured women are of tremendous courage, high intellect and a lot of hard work. The stories in this book are exciting and geared to fostering a sense of empowerment to studenta and adults alike who read it. Students at all grade levels, genders and ethnic groups can readily relate to thses stories of personal triumph and achievement. However the author has written it to target ages 9 through 12 year olds.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intimate book, January 20, 2002

By 

AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book. Not only is it packed with interesting facts, but the interviews and writing style are so personal and intimate that one feels as if, for example, Mae Jemison is right in the room sharing her life story. The women are candid about the obstacles they met and overcame. I think a young adult of any race will find this book very inspiring...I know if it had been around when I was a kid, science and math would have been much more relevent to me!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for young readers, November 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors (Hardcover)

So little is known about African American women pioneers in the sciences. Otha Sullivan has written an illuminating book for young readers that will fill in the gaps. Every parent concerned with teaching their children more about pioneering women in American history should purchase this book. It is also a good resource for science, social studies, and history teachers.