PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Florence B. Seibert

(1897–1991)

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Florence Barbara Seibert was born in Pennsylvania in 1897. When she was three, Florence got sick from a disease called polio. Although she recovered, she walked with a limp for the rest of her life. Even at a young age, Florence loved to read about famous scientists and realized she wanted to help people who suffered. In the 1920s, she was studying science at Yale University when she made an important discovery. She uncovered dangerous bacteria in the solutions used to make vaccines and other kinds of shots. Florence figured out a new way to get rid of all the bacteria and made injections much safer.

Florence made her biggest discovery while studying a disease known as tuberculosis, or TB. In the late 1930s, she figured out a way to isolate a part of the bacteria that causes TB. This discovery led to the first accurate test to detect the disease in 1940. Having a reliable TB test meant that people could be treated earlier. It also helped stop the disease from spreading, saving many lives. Florence received many awards and medals throughout her life. She was inducted into the U.S. Women’s Hall of Fame for her lifesaving work shortly before dying at age 93.

Charles Drew

(1904–1950)

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Born in 1904 in Washington, DC, Charles Drew would later become known as the “father of the blood bank.” When he was just 16, his younger sister Elsie died from an illness, inspiring Charles to become a doctor.

During his studies, Drew became fascinated by blood transfusions—the process when someone receives blood during a surgery or illness. Charles discovered that blood could be stored longer if the liquid part of the blood, or plasma, was separated, something we do today in blood banks.

These “banks” allow people to donate blood to the sick or injured, saving lives. Because of his research, Charles became the first African American to receive a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia University.

During World War II, Charles led a program to send blood plasma to injured soldiers. At that time, many laws separated White and Black Americans. The U.S. military kept White and Black Americans’ blood separate. Charles argued that there was no scientific reason to do that, but the military insisted on it. Charles protested and left the program to train new doctors instead.

In 1944, Charles received the highest honor from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. His legacy lives on in the lifesaving blood donations happening every day.