Gertrude Vermillion, Chairman of Women Chemists* Committee, and Isabel Weeks, Pigments Department, Du Pont Co., member of Women Chemists, Committee.
Women Chemists in New York Parlor A, Pennsylvania Hotel, was set aside as headquarters for women chemists and there they gathered in large numbers during the entire week. A get-acquainted tea was held in Parlor One of the Hotel Pennsylvania, September 11. Miss Church, of the Elizabeth Arden Salon, gave a highly entertaining talk on "Perfection" which was attended by 260 women. Luncheon One hundred and forty-eight of the women chemists met again in Parlor One, September 12, for luncheon, with Gertrude Vermillion, Chairman of the Women Chemists' Committee, presiding. Albert L. Elder, director of research, Corn Products Refining Co., gave a timely and interesting talk on "Plant Products". Dr. Elder pointed out that research on the production and utilization of plant products was necessary to ensure our future as leaders in world science. Virginia Bartow recalled the former ACS meeting in New York at which Francis P. Garvan announced plans for awarding a medal to women chemists for outstanding work. After giving a brief history of the award, Dr. Bartow introduced the three recipients of the Garvan Medal—Emma Carr, Mary E. Pennington, and Florence Seibert—who were present as honor guests. Cornelia Snell brought greetings from the Women's Service Committee, of which she is chairman, and said that the war has given women new opportunities to prove themselves competent chemists *in industrial laboratories, formerly closed to them. Attractive and useful souvenirs were presented through the courtesy of ElizaVOLUME
beth Arden, Bristol-Myers Co., Calco Chemical Division, American Cyanamid Co., Carter Products Inc., Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Co., and The Procter and Gamble Co., and the luncheon program covers were contributed by the Pigments Department of Du Pont. Economic Status of Women in Chemistry Another get-together tea was held September 13, this time at the Women's University Club. A discussion on "Women's Special Interests in Chemistry" was led by Lois Woodford. She spoke especially on the "Economic Status of Women in Chemistry" and drew attention to the latest findings published by the SOCIETY. Gladys Swope, in a talk "Up to You", gave her views on the future status of women in chemistry. She emphasized the importance of proper training and a genuine liking for the work. Marion Cleaveland spoke on "Educating the Woman Chemist". She pointed out that less time is given to physics and mathematics by the women than by the men majoring in chemistry. Men usually elect more than 50 per cent of their courses in science; women take less. Dr. Cleaveland stressed the need of a reading knowledge of a foreign language, German chiefly, as part of the undergraduate training and pointed out the difficulty in deciding between the essentials in training for a profession or for general culture. Lura Shorb discussed "Postwar Plans". . She emphasized the importance of personality and thorough training, as well as a lifetime interest in this field. She said that as a rule men will go to college for further training and come back to the industry they have chosen in an advanced
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position, whereas women are less inclined to this additional training. She suggested the importance of library, secretarial, and market research positions as offering opportunities for women. Miss Hearsey talked on the "Attitude to the Job". Industry is pledged t o take back the men who have gone into the services, but the women will have t o consider four possibilities: loss of job; demotion; switch from research to production; equal opportunity with the men. In many cases the loss of the job is the result of marriage. If demotion follows, it should be accepted cheerfully. She pointed out that you "get what you give", and if a change to control is made, it should be realized that there are as much interest and responsibility in control as in research, and that in the ideal case—equal opportunity with men—again women will get what they give. Dr. Pennington pointed out that "Being Professional" requires more than four years of college training. She also stressed that we get what we give. Miss Woodford concluded the discussion with a survey which showed a short average time in a position. Since training is expensive, management hesitates t o risk the outlay of money. In the future, management will use properly trained personnel. In the main, desk work is important and requires background and training equal to laboratory work and will carry as high a salary. Deferment of Chemists At the suggestion of the North Jersey Section, the several sections of the AMERICAN CHBMICAL· SOCIETY having members
residing in New Jersey have collaborated in setting up a committee to advise the State Director of Selective Service on any matter relating to the deferment of chemists on which he desires assistance. The primary objective of this group, which has been approved by the State Director, is to assist him, at his request, in determining the eligibility for deferment of individual chemists or chemical engineers by investigating their qualifications or activities. It is hoped that this committee will facilitate the operation of Selective Service with minimum real disturbance to the extensive chemical industry in New Jersey. Coover t o Be H o n o r e d The Department of Chemistry, Iowa State College, is planning a program on November 15 in recognition of W. F. Coover's 40 years of service in the department. This will consist of five scientific papers presented by alumni who did graduate work in the department while he was its head. There will be a dinner and program in the evening. All alumni and former students in the department are invited to attend. Reservations for the dinner must be received before Nov. I. 1673
