Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine: “Woman Crush Wednesday: Marie Maynard Daly Clark”

Quick Facts

NAME: Marie Maynard Daly
OCCUPATION: Chemist
BIRTH DATE: April 16, 1921
DEATH DATE: October 28, 2003
Did You Know, Marie Maynard Daly was the First African-American Woman to receive a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the United States?
EDUCATION: Queens College, New York University, Columbia University, Hunter College High School
PLACE OF BIRTH: Queens, New York
PLACE OF DEATH: New York, New York
Full Name: Marie Maynard Daly Clark
Maiden Name: Marie Maynard Daly
AKA: Marie M. Daly
AKA: Marie Daly

Best Known For: Marie Maynard Daly is best known for being the First African-American Woman to receive a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the United States.

Synopsis: Marie Maynard Daly was born on April 16, 1921, in Queens, New York. She was raised in an education-oriented family, and Daly quickly received her B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry at Queens College and New York University. After completing her Ph.D. at Columbia—and becoming the First African-American Woman to obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the United States—Daly taught and conducted research. She died in New York City on October 28, 2003.

Background: Future chemist Marie Maynard Daly was born on April 16, 1921, in Queens, New York. The pioneering scientist was the First African-American Woman to receive a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the United States, and her groundbreaking work helped clarify how the human body works.

Daly came from a family who believed strongly in the power of education. Her father, Ivan C. Daly, had emigrated from the West Indies as a young man and enrolled at Cornell University to study chemistry. A lack of money blocked his path, however, and he was forced to quit college, instead returning to New York City where he found work as a postal clerk.

Daly's mother, Helen, grew up in Washington, D.C., and came from a family of readers. She spent long hours reading to her daughter, and fostered Marie's love of books—in particular those that centered on science and scientists.

Higher Education: After graduating from Hunter College High School, an all-girls institution in New York City, Daly attended Queens College in Flushing, New York, choosing to live at home in order to save money.

Daly graduated with honors in 1942 and, to get around the fact that she didn't have much money for graduate school, landed work as a lab assistant at her old college as well as a hard-earned fellowship. Both were instrumental in helping her to cover the costs of getting a graduate degree in chemistry from New York University.

Daly didn't waste time in completing her studies. She finished her master's degree in just a year and then, in 1944, enrolled at Columbia University as a doctoral student. Aided by her own ambition and intelligence, Daly was further helped by timing. World War II was at its peak, and employers were looking for women to fill the jobs left by the scores of men who'd been sent overseas to fight. In addition, Columbia's chemistry program was being led by Dr. Mary L. Caldwell, a renowned scientist who helped blaze new trails for women in chemistry throughout her career.

Receives Ph.D.: At Columbia, Daly took to the lab, studying how the body's chemicals help digest food. She finished her doctorate—unknowingly making history as the first female African American to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States—in 1947. Fascinated by the human body's complicated inner workings, Daly landed a grant in 1948 from the American Cancer Society. This was the start of a seven-year research program at the Rockefeller Institute of Medicine, where Daly examined how proteins are constructed in the body.

Researcher and Activist: In 1955, Daly returned to Columbia, working closely with Dr. Quentin B. Deming on the causes of heart attacks. Their groundbreaking work, which was later relocated to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University in New York, disclosed the relationship between high cholesterol and clogged arteries. That work opened up a new understanding of how foods and diet can affect the health of the heart and the circulatory system.

In addition to her research work at Einstein, Daly also taught biochemistry courses. Recognizing the importance of her own career path, Daly championed efforts to get students of color enrolled in medical schools and graduate science programs. In 1988 she started a scholarship, in honor of her father, for minority students who want to study science at Queens College.

Daly retired from Albert Einstein College in 1986. Her many honors included induction into Phi Beta Kappa as well as being tapped as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Daly, who married Vincent Clark in 1961 and whose full married name was Marie Maynard Daly Clark, died in New York City on October 28, 2003.

Ms. Daly was chosen as my Woman of the Day for various reasons, a few being:

1. I always want to share the esteemed accomplishments in my ethnicity (that are oftentimes unnoticed, overlooked and unheard of).

2. I am passionate about education (in all forms) and therefore, believe that educators should be celebrated.

3. I believe in and support wholeheartedly Women’s Achievements.

4. In view of the oftentimes negative and even profane images of women of color, it is always good to give our young girls role models that are not only singing, dancing, modeling, or naked, but those that are Scientist, Ivy League Achievers, and Ground-Breaking, Barrier Breaking First Time Overcomers in their fields of study.

5. I also found it inspiring that Ms. Daly came from an Educated Household, with Educated Parents! And even though her father didn’t finish, his daughter picked up the slack and superseded dad’s hearts desires for education. This is a challenge to parents to become even more involved in their children’s education. Being mindful, that our children often bear the image that we reflect on their childhood! And if TV, welfare, poverty, lack, and hustling is all they see, then how do you expect them to envision anything greater?

6. Ms. Daly also found odd-jobs to support herself in school. Which is a challenge to our youth, particularly those heading to college, to not depend solely on parents for your education. Yes, it is their responsibility. However, if they fail at it, will that be your only excuse “My parents didn’t do their job…so I couldn’t…” Young people, invest in your own rich future!

7. Ms. Daly wasn’t selfish either. She mentored, shared, educated and opened doors of opportunity for others. Make sure you always do the same.

8. World War II opened doors for many women, since men were being sent out to battle. Always keep your eyes open even in times of distress, you never know the problems that may actually become solutions themselves. Opportunities are often disguised as Obstacles.

9. I found Ms. Daly’s research on the heart and all its various components remarkable. And even though she has since passed away, her work, labor, findings, research etc…still speak on her behalf. Live in such a way that even when you wake no more this side of heaven, your work will still be working for you! Leave a Legacy that will Last and that’s worth Passing on to Future Generations!

10. Ms. Daly was the First African American Woman to receive a Ph.d in Chemistry in the United States (and yes, I made sure that was repeated often on purpose). Why? I want you to take into consideration what could be your lasting mark on the world, that you’ve yet to discover. What will you be known for? What will your name represent? What work will work for you, long after you’ve stopped working for it? What could you be the First to do, that still hasn’t been done yet? Find Your Passion, and Pursue it Until it Produces Your Purpose!

How to Cite this Page:

Marie Maynard Daly

APA Style

Marie Maynard Daly. (2014). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 09:30, Feb 19, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034.

Harvard Style

Marie Maynard Daly. [Internet]. 2014. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034 [Accessed 19 Feb 2014].

MLA Style

"Marie Maynard Daly." 2014. The Biography Channel website. Feb 19 2014, 09:30 http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034.

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"Marie Maynard Daly," The Biography Channel website, 2014, http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034 [accessed Feb 19, 2014].

Chicago Style

"Marie Maynard Daly," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034 (accessed Feb 19, 2014).

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Marie Maynard Daly [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2014 [cited 2014 Feb 19] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034.

Bluebook Style

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AMA Style

Marie Maynard Daly. The Biography Channel website. 2014. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/marie-m-daly-604034. Accessed Feb 19, 2014.

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)