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Article: GERTRUDE ELION.(Main)
- Article from:
- Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)
- Article date:
- October 18, 1988
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1988 Albany Times Union. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: New York Times
Gertrude B. Elion, 70, has been a scientist for more than 40 years, and has had to struggle against preconceived notions of what careers were suitable for women.
She was born in New York City on Jan. 23, 1918, the daughter of a dentist.
Elion graduated from Hunter College in 1937 with a degree in biochemistry and applied for jobs in laboratories.
But no one would hire her, she said, because such jobs went to men in those days. Instead, Elion taught high school, still hoping for a job as a chemist.
With World War II, the situation changed. "It really was the war that gave women opportunities to get into ...