Continuing the tradition of celebrating great women in Physics, the Physics Department celebrated Carolyn Parker’s 106th Birthday on Thursday. Parker is the first African-American woman known to have gained a postgraduate degree in physics. She contributed to the Manhattan Project, later teaching at Fisk University. Raised in Florida during segregation, she overcame adversity to secure two master’s degrees. Tragically, leukaemia, an occupational hazard from her Manhattan Project involvement, thwarted her MIT physics doctorate, claiming her life at age 48. Her achievements in her short life and her contribution to Physics research are truly remarkable.

During the party, we had a look at a copy of her typed 1941 Masters Thesis entitled “Range Distribution of 122 MeV Pi+ and Pi- Mesons in Brass”, part of which had to be annotated in pen as typewriter keys for physics symbols did not exist. There was also a Physics/Florida quiz and prizes awarded to the top three winners. Many, many thanks to our incredibly talented catering manager, Roberto Velasio, for the fantastic cake! Happy 106th Birthday, Carolyn!

Dr MacTavish, Head of Physics