MIT's pioneering first female professor to secure tenure, Emily Wick PhD '51, passes away at 91 years old.
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Emily Wick, a trailblazer in both the scientific community and the world of sailing, was born on December 9, 1921, in Youngstown, Ohio. She passed away at the age of 91 on March 21, 2013.
Wick's academic journey began at Mount Holyoke College, where she earned her BS in chemistry and her MA in organic chemistry. She later returned to her alma mater, MIT, in 1959 as an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science.
In 1951, Wick achieved another significant milestone, receiving her PhD in chemistry from MIT. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she became the first woman to reach the rank of tenured faculty at MIT in 1963.
Wick's impact on MIT extended beyond the classroom. She was instrumental in eliminating gender considerations from MIT's admissions criteria, paving the way for future generations of women to pursue their academic dreams. In the 1990s, she served as Dean of the School of Science, becoming the first woman to hold a senior academic administrative position at MIT.
Wick's influence extended beyond academia. She was an active competitive sailor and the first woman commodore of the Sandy Bay Yacht Club in Rockport. Her leadership helped increase women's participation and leadership in competitive sailing.
In addition to her academic and sailing achievements, Wick established the Women's Forum at MIT, a platform for discussing various women's issues, from health to career opportunities.
Wick's legacy continues to inspire. She is survived by her nephew, Jim Wick, and four nieces. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sandy Bay Yacht Club Sailing Program and Scholarship Fund Inc., or to Hospice of the North Shore.
While this article provides an overview of Emily Wick's life and achievements, additional specialized biographical sources or institutional archives from MIT would be needed to provide a detailed timeline, specific achievements, or impacts on women in academia and sailing.
- The undergraduate students at Mount Holyoke College are fortunate to learn chemistry from the faculty who follow in Emily Wick's footsteps.
- The MIT alumni association often invites successful alumni like Emily Wick to share their experiences and lessons with current students.
- Emily Wick's dedication to science and health-and-wellness is evident in her work, impacting the field of women's health significantly.
- The campus of MIT is adorned with diverse hubs for learning, including the science department, health-and-self-development center, and the sports facility, all inspired by trailblazers like Emily Wick.
- Graduate students at MIT, especially in the science department, look up to Emily Wick as a role model who broke barriers in the field.
- Emily Wick's efforts to eliminate gender considerations from MIT's admissions criteria ensured a more equitable education for not only female undergraduate students but also graduate students across disciplines.
- The women's health forum established by Emily Wick provides a platform for student discourse on topics such as mental health, education, and self-development, crucial for personal growth.
- The university community honors Emily Wick's memory by promoting her values of academic excellence, sportsmanship, and gender equality, fostering a more inclusive environment for all students.
