Black Scientists in History - Climate Scientist Dr. Warren M. Washington

Imagine trying to walk into a store and pushing the door as hard as you can without it budging, only to realize that it was a pull door? That’s what many black scientist had to do when being black and a scientist were often two words that were rarely ever put together. Go against every obstacle in their way to reach their goal.

Scientist like Dr. Warren F. Washington, born in 1936 in a time where people's view of black people, especially black academics wasn't always the greatest, strived and pushed to become a pioneering meteorologist and and expert in climate change.

As a teen Dr. Warren was encouraged to attend business school but instead, followed his dream and went on to attend Oregon state university where he earned his bachelor's degree in physics and later on a masters degree in meteorology. I’m sure it’s hard enough getting a degree in meteorology and physics, and even harder doing it while black in his time, Washington was also the second Af rican American to earn the doctorate degree in meteorology, which i'm sure made everything even harder!

Dr. Warren was and still is a top leader in climate change research and without him we would not be as far with our knowledge of climate change. He is an example of pushing through to the top even when everything is against you. Hopefully because of scientist like Dr. Warren, more and more people become inspired to not only follow their dreams but to fight in the face of adversary and win.

Congratulations to Dr. Warren Washington for winning the 2019 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement.

#blackhistorymonth


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