Dorothy McClendon

Dorothy McClendon
Born(1924-12-21)December 21, 1924
Minden, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedMay 17, 2013(2013-05-17) (aged 88)
Kansas, U.S.
Alma materA & I State University
EmployerTACOM

Dorothy V. McClendon (December 21, 1924 – May 17, 2013) was an American microbiologist.

Early life and education

McClenden was born in Minden, Louisiana on December 21, 1924[1][2] She moved from Minden to Detroit, Michigan with her mother and older sister Melba. With her mother's encouragement, McClendon applied and was accepted to the competitive Cass Technical High School.[3] She then attended A & I State University (now Tennessee State University) in Tennessee, where she earned a BSc in biology in 1948.[1] She original planned to pursue a medical career, but became interested in microbiology.[3] At Tennessee A&I, McClendon held leadership roles in the Alpha Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Sunday School Cabinet.[3] After post-graduate study at universities including Purdue, Wayne State, and the University of Detroit,[1] she briefly taught in public schools in Phoenix, Arizona and Eldorado, Arkansas.

Career

McClenden joined TACOM[3] in the 1950 and worked in the Chemistry Laboratory for one year before assuming the position of supervisor of the Microbiology Laboratory. [4] During her long career, she focused on developing methods to protect stored goods, notably fuel, from degradation due to biological agents.[5][1] She retired in 1984.[3]

Personal life

McClendon never married.[3] She volunteered with youth ministries, Sunday schools, and scholarship programs through local Christian schools and organizations.[3]

She died in Kansas on May 17, 2013, at the age of 88.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d TACOM Public Affairs (2018). "Fifty years ago in TACOM news -- Feb. 1968: "Dorothy McClendon plays major role for ATAC"". Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Dorothy V McClendon". U.S., Public Records Index, 1950–1993, Volume 2. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Sterrett, J. Deborah Johnson (15 March 2013), "McClendon, Dorothy V.", African American Studies Center, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.36507, ISBN 978-0-19-530173-1
  4. ^ https://www.army.mil/article/200177/fifty_years_ago_in_tacom_news_feb_1968_dorothy_mcclendon_plays_major_role_for_atac
  5. ^ Wini Warren (1999). Black Women Scientists in the United States. Indiana University Press. p. 198. ISBN 0-253-33603-1.
  6. ^ "Dorothy V. McClendon". U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014. Retrieved 25 November 2021.