Geraldine Pittman Woods
Personal Information
Born: 1921
Died: 1999
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Classes at Talladega College before transferring to Howard University where she earned a BA in 1942; Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study MS 1943, PhD 1945 Neuro-embryology
Professional Life
Field of Study: Neuroscience
Institution/Corporation: NIH
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degrees: Benedict College*Taladega College*Fisk University*Bennett College* Meharry Medical college*Howard University; Member: Phi Beta Kappa (1945) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (1964) Delta sigma theta8Board of trusteesHoward University
Awards & Achievements
Awards: Mary Church Terrill Award, Delta Sigma Theta; 1979, Scroll of Merit, National Medical Association; 1980, Howard University Achievement Award; 1987, Distinguished Leadership Achievement Award, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; 2 Fellowships & 2 awards are named after her
Achievements: established programs promoting minorities in STEM fields, scientific research, and basic research; 1st African-American female appointed to the National Advisory General Medical Services (NAGMS) Council;
Helped launch Head Start Program
4th grade, transferred from a private Episcopalian school to Industrial High School, the only public school in her area of West Palm Beach, Fla that admitted African-American students
Neither of her parents went higher than 8th grade but her mother insisted she get a good education
1946, took a 25 year hiatus from science to focus on her family
Was active in community services & established programs that increased minority participation in STEM & scientific & basic research