Ellen (Swallow) Richards was born in Massachusetts in 1842. Her parents were of modest means and were strong supporters of her education. Ellen was home-schooled at first but was later accepted into a prominent academy.
Ellen was accepted into Vassar at age 26 after taking care of her mother and taking classes at a local college. She graduated two years later. She continued her education with a Master’s degree. Her area of research was chemistry.
Ellen was unable to find a position as a chemist. She applied for admission to MIT. This required special permission from the faculty, which she got to become the first woman admitted to MIT. This wasn’t a breakthrough for women, since MIT made it a point that her acceptance did not set a precedent. She received a BS degree from MIT and completed the work for a Master’s but MIT did not feel it could award her the degree because of her gender.
With an education that exceeded most of her male peers. Ellen continued to be offered jobs that were below her talent. She began to make pioneering work on air and water quality, leading to the first water-quality standards in America.
Her work then led to family sanitation and nutrition. This led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. Her knowledge of chemistry contributed to what would become known as home economics.
Throughout her life, Ellen dispelled myths about what women could achieve. She became active in several women’s causes, including access to educational opportunities and the economic role of women as homemakers. She was one of the co-founders of the American Association of University Women.
Ellen passed away at 68. With all of her remarkable achievements, Ellen remains unknown. She had a career that should be celebrated and used as an inspiration for young women interested in pioneering work.
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“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”–Ann Wigmore (food advocate)