“OPEN EXAMINATION” read the sign at the University of Pittsburgh announcing the opportunity for three chemists to work in the health department under Dr. Jonas Salk. Dr. Salk would choose the chemists with the three highest test scores from an open examination on Saturday recalls Anna Mae Patz. Anna Mae graduated from Carlow University with a BA in chemistry and a minor in mathematics in 1960. When she applied for a job as chemist at Koppers Metal, and at Westinghouse in the early sixties, the attitude was, “Honey, we’ve never hired a female chemist and we don’t intend to so go look somewhere else.” She did.
Anna Mae took the exam at the University of Pittsburgh, scored one of the top three test scores, and got the job working under Dr. Jonas Salk. She worked with Dr. Salk, played bridge with him in a tournament and won. She says, “He was a marvelous man.”
In this excerpt from an oral history interview on November 15, 2011, Anna Mae Patz discusses working with Dr. Salk, moving to Orlando with her husband research scientist, Dr. Benjamin Patz, and how her search for a microscope for her children led to a 38 year career as an educator for Orange County Public Schools. Gain perspective and inspiration from chemist, mathematics educator, and mother of five, Anna Mae Patz.
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Anna Mae Patz
In this excerpt from an oral history interview on November 15, 2011, Anna Mae Patz discusses working with Dr. Salk, moving to...
"OPEN EXAMINATION" read the sign at the University of Pittsburgh announcing the opportunity for three chemists to work in the health department under Dr. Jonas Salk. Dr. Salk would choose the chemists with the three highest test scores from an open examination on Saturday recalls Anna Mae Patz. Anna Mae graduated from Carlow University with a BA in chemistry and a minor in mathematics in 1960. When she applied for a job as chemist at Koppers Metal, and at Westinghouse in the early sixties, the attitude was, "Honey, we've never hired a female chemist and we don't intend to so go look somewhere else." She did.
Anna Mae took the exam at the University of Pittsburgh, scored one of the top three test scores, and got the job working under Dr. Jonas Salk. She worked with Dr. Salk, played bridge with him in a tournament and won. She says, "He was a marvelous man".
In this excerpt from an oral history interview on November 15, 2011, Anna Mae Patz discusses working with Dr. Salk, moving to Orlando with her husband research scientist, Dr. Benjamin Patz, and how her search for a microscope for her children led to a 38 year career as an educator for Orange County Public Schools. Gain perspective and inspiration from chemist, mathematics educator, and mother of five, Anna Mae Patz.
