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9 Women’s Key Contributions to the Field of Human Nutrition
In Celebration of Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day
Did you know that March is Women’s History Month, and that today (Tuesday, March 8th) is International Women’s Day?
To celebrate, I’ve compiled a list of 9 women who have made important contributions to the study and advancements of human nutrition within the last few centuries.
Of course, this list is an acknowledgement of the contributions of merely nine women, while there certainly are many, many more who have played an important role in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
1. Agnes Fay Morgan (1884–1968)
In her early career, Agnes Fay Morgan was motivated by the realization that younger men with PhDs were being selected before her for promotions, and so she earned her PhD in organic chemistry in just two years. It’s worth noting that this was at a time when a mere 11% of PhDs were granted to women.
Some of Dr. Morgan’s key areas of research included women’s issues, human nutrient requirements, and the vitamin content of processed foods. She is most recognized for her research on pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B6, and the function of the adrenal glands.
