Patricia Era Bath: A Biography Of Bath's Life

1476 Words3 Pages

Malorie Horman
March 12, 2014
Research Paper- Final Copy

In 1942 no one knew that an amazing and talented scientist was born among them. Little did they know that she was an African American. Nobody knew that she would become famous for an invention, The Laserphaco Probe, and that she would become one of the best ophthalmologists. She has helped make our country’s ophthalmologic care become so advanced. She is a very gifted inventor, scientist, and ophthalmologist.

On November 4, 1942 in Harlem, New York, Patricia Era Bath was born to parents Rupert and Gladys Bath. In her early years, Patricia was raised in Harlem, New York. Harlem was not the safest, place yet Pat called it home. In her hometown lots of reasons for worry were present, not only because of the challenges for blacks, but because of World War Two. Patricia grew up being much worse off than others in their society. At an early age she excelled in many activates including science, flute, and being able to speak French. She was also able to master the writings of Milton, Virgil, Plutarch, and John Locke. Being the person she is, she only saw excitement and opportunity in her “long run.”

Her mother Gladys, worked very hard for her children. Gladys was from African American slaves and Cherokee Native Americans ancestors. Patricia was blessed with a brother and once he was born her mother began to budget for the future. She saved her money from her jobs as a housewife and a domestic worker, to help pay for her children’s education. To pay for Pat’s medical schooling, Gladys scrubbed floors. “Mom and dad were the fuel and engine to my empowerment, she once said.” (source 9 page 99) Her parents helped her work toward what she has achieved today. She...

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...epartment of eye care at ULCA. A major accomplishment of hers in 1983 was being the first woman chairman in an ophthalmology training program at ULCA. In 1988, she was elected into Hunter College’s Hall of Fame. Her last award was in 1993 where she was named a “Howard University Pioneer in Academic Medicine.”

Patricia Bath, an inventor, scientist, ophthalmologist, mother, and wife, achieved more than any black women at her time. She always worked her best in school, trying to achieve her personal best and always testing the limits of science. “The ability to restore vision is the ultimate reward. It is a really great joy to remove eye patches the day after surgery and the patient can see again.” (source 8 page 29) Patricia was always happy to help a patient become able to see again. This shows how wonderful it truly is to tremendously help a person in need.

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