ACS President: Anna Jane Harrison (1912-1998)

First Woman ACS President

Harrison did work on toxic gases or “smokes” in many environments

• Ph.D., 1940, University of Missouri , Physical Chemistry

• Science teacher, one-room school house, Benton City, Missouri (the same school she attended as a child), 1933-35
• Instructor, Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 1940-1942
• Professor of chemistry, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, 1945-1979
• Retired as professor emeritus and then taught at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis

Noted for chemical research in molecular spectroscopy in the far ultraviolet region of spectrum. International leader in chemical education. Active nationally and internationally as a supporter of women in science.

• Citation of Merit, University of Missouri, College of Arts and Sciences, 1960
• Manufacturing Chemists Association Award in College Chemistry, 1969
• James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching of Chemistry, ACS Northeastern Section, 1977
• ACS Award in Chemical Education, 1982

• Chair, ACS Division of Chemical Education, 1971
• Member, National Science Board, 1972-1978
• President, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1983-1984
• Member, Board of Directors, Sigma Xi, 1988-1991
• Chair, Board of Publications, Journal of Chemical Education, 1960, 1964
• Editorial Boards, Journal of College Science Teaching and Chemical & Engineering News

. . . that she most often published in combination with students or other Mount Holyoke colleagues?

. . . that she did confidential defense work in the development of field kits for the army to collect and analyze gases during World War II?