Day 11. Marie Maynard Daly Breaking Barriers in Biochemistry

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Pioneering in the Lab and Beyond

Marie Maynard Daly made history in 1947 when she became the first Black woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry—a monumental achievement not only in science, but in the ongoing fight for racial and gender equity in education.

Born in Queens, New York in 1921, Daly was the daughter of a West Indian father from the British West Indies (modern-day Saint Kitts and Nevis), whose dream of becoming a chemist was cut short due to lack of resources. Marie carried his dream forward—breaking barriers he couldn’t and transforming science in the process.

“Courage, perseverance, and determination were key to my success.” — Marie Maynard Daly

Her Legacy in Science and Health

Marie Maynard Daly’s research helped unlock groundbreaking understandings in:

Nucleic acids, laying the groundwork for DNA research
Hypertension, exploring the link between high blood pressure and heart health
Cell nucleus chemistry, contributing to what we now know about how genetic information is stored and transmitted

She held faculty positions at Columbia University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she mentored future scientists and advocated for increasing access and diversity in the sciences.
She also co-authored a pioneering paper on the effects of hypertension on arteries—research that still informs cardiovascular medicine today.

Uplifting Others Along the Way

Daly understood that her presence in the lab meant more than scientific progress—it meant opening doors for Black students and women who were too often pushed out of STEM fields. She established scholarship funds for minority students at Queens College, her alma mater.

“It’s not just about being the first. It’s about making sure you’re not the last.” — Marie Maynard Daly

Learn More About Marie Maynard Daly

📚 Read:
Marie Maynard Daly Biography in the Science History Institute Museum & Library

African American Women Chemists by Jeannette Brown

🎥 Watch:
American Chemical Society

🌐 Explore:
Marie Maynard Daly on Encyclopedia Britannica

Today’s Reflection

Marie Maynard Daly’s life reminds us that science is not neutral—it’s shaped by who gets access to education, research, and opportunity. Her story calls us to continue building a world where curiosity, brilliance, and determination are never held back by race or gender.

How are we creating inclusive pathways in science and innovation today?

Join us each day this month as we spotlight a different Caribbean American whose legacy calls us to reflect, learn, and celebrate. These stories are about community, culture, and the contributions that come from the rich intersections of heritage and homeland. Our weekly themes will help guide us through different aspects of Caribbean American influence—from activism to art, invention to entrepreneurship—creating a mosaic of identity that is as joyful as it is complex.

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