Year Honored: 1994
Birth: 1915 - 1999
Born in: Delaware
Biography
Harriet Ruth Williams graduated from the Delaware School for Negro Students in 1931, before completing a bachelor’s in biology at Delaware State University in 1934, and then a Master’s in Chemistry at Atlanta University in 1937. She returned to Delaware State University and worked to stabilize and build the chemistry department from “a one-person department using teacups and saucers to a department that boasts six PH. D’s, $500,000 worth of equipment and a certification from the American Chemical Society.”
Williams’ work was a huge contribution to the growth and progress of DelState as a “quality institute of higher learning.” Aside from serving as chemistry department chair (1950 – 1986), Williams was also acting registrar, director of Lore Residence Hall for College Women, director of alumni affairs and public relations, assistant to the director of admissions, director of minority biomedical research support program, interim vice president and dean of academic affairs, and acting chair of the division of natural sciences and mathematics.
Williams worked at Delaware State University for 52 years. She was the first woman to be awarded an honorary Doctor of Sciences by DelState in 1970.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sources and Additional Readings
Del State Women's history. Delaware State University. (2021, March 16). Retrieved January 11, 2022, from https://www.desu.edu/news/2021/03/del-state-womens-history-1
- Collections: 1994, Black History Month