February 10, 1988, Portland Observer, Section II, Page 5
'Black Achievers in Science
Exhibit Opens
f /
'" hicago — “ Black Achievers in Sci­
ence,” a major exhibit celebrating
the contributions of Blacks to sci­
ence and technology, will open at
Chicago's Museum of Science and
Industry Monday, February 1.
The exhibit is featured within
“ Black Creativity 1988," the Mu­
seum's annual observance of Black
History Month, Feburary 1-March 1.
PROPHET
H A R IZ j G
Sponsored by Citicorp/Citibank
and developed by the Museum,
“ Black Achievers in Science,” is
designed to salute more than 100
historical and contemporary Black
achievers who have devoted their
lives to science. Highlighting the
exhibit are the profiles of 16 Black
men and women who have made
significant research contributions to
the life sciences, physical sciences,
engineering, and mathematics and
computer sciences.
CHAVIS
GERALD
“ The Black Achievers in Science
exhibit demonstrates that through
hard work, determination and per­
severance, all of us can succeed,
said Loren Smith, chairman, Citi­
corp Savings of Illinois. "W e hope
the exhibit encourages all young
people to study science and learn
about the crucial role it plays in
everyday life."
Just ask Matt, Ernie, Aletha,
Bill, Edith, Ed, Nate, Mac and
604 other Black PPS employees
The 2,500-square-foot exhibit in­
corporates interactive devices and
biographies to chronicle the con­
tributions of the 16 achievers, while
memorabilia illustrate each scien­
tist's personal life. Additional infor­
mation outlines career paths in each
of the four areas and suggests acti­
vities for young people who are cur­
ious about science.
"Our intentions were to present
these scientists as role models and
to show that scientific inquiry is
both challenging and rewarding,
said Dr. James S. Kahn, president
and director of the Museum of Sci­
ence and Industry. "Hopefully the
younger visitor will understand that
a career in science is built, not with
one grand accomplishment, but by
succeeding at a number of challen­
ges over a period of tim e."
The historical figures highlighted
in the exhibit inclue: Benjamin Ban-
neker (1731-1806), surveyor; George
Washington Carver (1864-1943), bo­
tanist; Percy L. Julian (1899-1975),
You can’t talk about the accomplishments of
Black Oregonians without shouting about their
historic professional successes in Portland Public
Schools.
Despite the demographic odds, Blacks have
earned the highest positions of responsibility and
respect in the Northwest’s largest public educa­
tional system.
Blacks represent only 15.4 percent of the
school district’s students (1987-88 enrollment),
just 7.0 percent of the city’s inhabitants (1980
census) and barely 1.4 percent of the state’s
residents (1980 census).
Y e t. . .
• Matthew Prophet since 1982 has been the
superachieving superintendent of schools
sought by New York, Los Angeles and several
other large urban school districts.
• Ernest Hartzog has been an assistant super­
intendents Portland since 1972. He now is the
No. 3 educator in the system, in charge of
districtwide and alternative programs.
WILSON
oranic chemist; Ernest E. Just (1883
-1941), developmental biologist,
and Lewis Latimer (1848-1928) elec­
trical engineer.
Contemporary achievers include:
David H. Blackwell, mathematician
ahd statistrciàn; Normàrì R. Bliss, !
mechanical and civil engineer;
George R. Carruthers, astrophysi­
cist; Patricia S. Cowings, psycho­
physiologist; Chrinstine M. Darden,
mechanical engineer; Marc R. Han­
nah, computer graphics architect;
Fern Y. Hunt, applied mathemati­
cian; Ralph C. Lee, bioengineer;
Walter E. Massey, theoretical phy-
sicist; Harvey M. Pickrum, micro­
biologist; and Warren M. Washing­
ton, atmospheric scientist.
"Black Achievers in Science" will
remain at the Museum through Au­
gust 28, before traveling to other
science centers and museums
around the United States.
The Museum is located at 57th
St. and Lake Shore Dr. Hours are
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. weekends and holidays. Open
every day of the year, the Museum
is handicapped accessible. General
admission and parking are free.
Dr. Percy Julian
Helped create and
produce low cost
Cortisone, a modern
wonder drug
used to treat
many diseases.
Developed an inexpensive drug to
JONES
GREEN
• Aletha Chavis has been personnel director
since 1980. She’s been instrumental in the
employment of 6,551 teachers and support
employees, of whom 9.3 percent are Black (a
14.1 percent increase since 1980-81).
• Bill Gerald and Edith Wilson are two of eight
cluster directors of instruction overseeing
operations of scores of schools.
• Ed Green, director of transportation services,
supervises the complexities of busing thou­
sands of school children.
• Nate Jones, administrator of Jefferson High,
was honored by his Oregon peers as 1987
Secondary Principal of the Year.
• Mac Lockett is chief of the 20-member Portland
School Police Dept.
Affirmative action and multiethnic-multicultural
education aren’t just talk in Portland Public
Schools. Just ask Matt, Ernie, Aletha, Bill, Edith,
Nate, Mac and 604 other Black employees of the
school district.
LOCKETT
Black History Month:
A D e d ic a tio n
"When evil men plot, good men
must plan. When evil men burn
and bomb, good men must
build and bind. When evil men
shout ugly words or hatred, good
men must commit themselves
to the glories of love.
Where evil men would seek to
perpetuate an unjust status quo,
good men must seek to bring
into being a real order of justice."
M a rtin Luther King, Jr.
treat Glaucoma, an eye disease. This
drug is used around the world.
» Founded Julian Laboratories, an im­
portant drug research center and
drug company.
PHIL REYNOLDS MEDICAL CLINIC
15 N. Morris St.
Portland. Oregon 97227
287-4532
In ho n o r of B lack men and w o m e n w h o c o m m itte d them selves
to ach ieving social ju s tic e .
Paid fo r by m em bers o f the M e tro p o lita n H um an R elations C o m m issio n :
Skip Collier
Sho Dozono
Gregory Gudger
John Heflin
Carolyn Leonard
Jaime Lim
Jose Mata
Lynda Oakley
Paulette Peynet
Karen Powell