Carolyn Parker

Carolyn Beatrice Parker (November 18, 1917 – March 17, 1966) was a research physicist and educator whose scientific contributions helped expand our understandings of physics and aircraft radio technologies during WWII. After obtaining her undergraduate degree at Fisk University, in 1938, Parker taught at public schools in Florida before attending the University of Michigan to earn a M.A. in physics in 1941. From 1943 to 1947, Parker contributed to the war effort by working in the Aircraft Radio Laboratory and subsequently returned to Fisk University as an assistant professor. In 1949, Parker enrolled as a doctoral student at MIT but switched to a masters program. She graduated with her M.S. in physics in 1951. She died at the age of 48, in 1966. Today, Parker is celebrated in biographical dictionaries, various blogs, newspapers, and social media post for being the first African-American woman known to have obtained a postgraduate degree in physics. Also, there are scholarships and facilities named in her honor such as Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary School and Carolyn Beatrice Parker Park in Gainesville, Florida.