Scientific Literature Researcher

She chose starting a family over a career since balancing both was not customary at the time

BE was born in South Philadelphia, graduating from Philadelphia High School for Girls – where she was the Editor of her high school newspaper – and then from Penn’s College of Liberal Arts for Women, majoring in chemistry. Her aptitude for science was so apparent that she was offered a scholarship to attend medical school but chose instead, to marry “the boy next door” and raise their children. 

Later, she wished she had accepted the medical school scholarship, realizing she could have married and raised a family eventually but at the time, she knew of no female role models who had balanced both family and professional careers at the same time. 

After her children needed less than her full time attention, BE worked as a scientific researcher in labs at the University of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann Medical College, Jefferson University Hospital and Rutgers University, until she retired at age 75. Her role was often to formulate and execute lab experiments and edit the conclusions for publication. 

“She liked writing and words so she liked to be the secretary of organizations she was involved with” said her daughter. 

(from Inquirer obit)