List of African-American women in STEM fields


The following is a list of notable African-American women who have made contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

A

ImageNameFieldDatesNotes
Rediet Abebecomputer scientist1991-first woman computer scientist to be appointed to the Harvard Society of Fellows
Lilia Ann Abronchemical engineering, environmental engineering1945-first African-American woman to earn a PhD in chemical engineering
Claudia Alexandergeophysics, planetary science1959-2015Project manager for NASA's Galileo mission and Rosetta mission
Gloria Long Andersonchemistry1938-
Treena Livingston Arinzehbiomedical engineering1970-
Donna Augustebusinesswoman, computer scientist1958-
Wanda Austinaerospace engineering1954-Former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation
Estella AtekwanaBiogeophysics; tectonphysics1961-Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment at the University of Delaware

B

ImageNameFieldDatesNotes
June Bacon-Berceymeteorology1932-Believed to be the first African-American woman to gain a degree in meteorology and confirmed to be the first African-American woman to be a televised meteorologist.
Erica Bakersoftware engineer2006-Engineer and engineering manager in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for her outspoken support of diversity and inclusion.
Alice Augusta Ballchemistry1892-1916first woman and African-American to receive a master's degree from the University of Hawaii
Patricia Bathophthalmologist, inventor1942-2019pioneered laser surgery to remove cataracts
Regina Benjaminphysician1956-18th Surgeon General of the United States
Angela Bentoninternet entrepreneur1981-
Matilene Berrymanoceanographer1920-2003
Sarah Booneinventor1832-1904
Sylvia D. Trimble Bozemanmathematician1947-
Carolyn Brooksmicrobiologist1947-
Dorothy Lavinia Brownsurgeon1919-2004First African American female appointed to a general surgery residency in the racially segregated South.
Marjorie Lee Brownmathematician1914-1979
Kimberly Bryantelectrical engineer
Ursula Burnsengineer, CEO1958-

C

ImageNameFieldDatesNotes
Alexa Canadyneuroscience1950-
Carolyn Cannon-Alfredpharmacologist1934-
Majora Carterdeveloper1966-
Gloria Chisumexperimental psychologist1930-
Mamie Phipps Clarksocial psychologist1917-1983Researched self-esteem and self-concept in African-American children, which was used in 1954 civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas
May Edward Chinnphysician1896-1980
Yvonne Clarkengineer1929-
Jewel Plummer Cobbbiologist1924-2017
Johnnetta Coleanthropologist, educator and museum director1936-Spelman College's seventh president and the first Black woman to lead the institution
Rebecca Colephysician1846-1922Second African-American woman physician
Bessie Colemanaviator1896–1926first African American and Native American woman to hold a pilot license
Betty Colletteveterinary pathologist1930-2017
Margaret S. Collinszoologist1922-1996
Carol Blanche Cottonpsychologist1904-?
Patricia S. Cowingsaerospace psychophysiologist1948-'first African American woman scientist to be trained as an astronaut by NASA
Rebecca Lee Crumplerphysician1831–1895first African-American woman to become a physician in the United States

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

ImageNameFieldDatesNotes
Sinah Estelle Kelleychemist1916-1982worked on mass production of penicillin
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner1912-2006
Angie Turner Kingchemist and mathematician1905–2004
Reatha Kingchemistry1938-
Ruth G. KingEducational psychologist1933-First woman president of the Association of Black Psychologists

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Y