Dinner with Dr. Percy Julian by sydni

Dinner with Dr. Percy Julian by sydni - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Ever since I was ten years old, it has been my goal and dream in life to help others. I have always wanted to look out for people who might need a helping hand, who might not be able to afford as much as myself, or who might need something extra, no matter how small, to increase their overall happiness. By contributing to other people's well-being, I find there is no greater feeling than the self-pride that this action brings. Knowing you have helped someone else is the ultimate accomplishment anyone could achieve. In life, I am very blessed. I have loving parents who provide for me, great friends who are there for me, and a school that provides me with new opportunities every day. I believe I should share my blessings with others who are not as fortunate as I. If there was one historic person I could have dinner with, it would be Dr. Percy Julian, a Civil Rights Activist, Chemist, Scientist, and Medical Professional.
Percy Lavon Julian was an African American research chemist and a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. He attended the University of Vienna, Harvard Medical School, and was valedictorian at DePuaw University. Julian invented and patented a way to synthesize physostigmin, which aids in the healing process of glaucoma. He also invented methods of synthesizing testosterone and progesterone from soybean extracts to help prevent women from miscarrying. In addition, Julian produced the steroid cortisone, which is a profound treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Researching during the midst of World War II, Dr. Julian created a chemical compound from a soybean compound that acted as a fire retardant foam which saved thousands of lives during the war. Total, he achieved 119 chemical compound patents by the end of his career.
In addition to being a renowned chemist, Dr. Percy Julian was the first African American to head a research lab at a major chemical company at the Glidden Company Soya Division. He also founded his own, and very successful, research company that was worth $2 million. As a result of his hard work, Julian was the first black chemist elected to the National Academy of the Sciences in 1973. In 1990, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 1999 his synthesis of physostigmine was recognized by the American Chemical Society as “one of the top 25 achievements in the history of American chemistry." The Spingarn Medal, the highest honor given by the NAACP, in recognition of his achievements as an African American man, was awarded to Dr. Julian in 1947. He received 19 honorary degrees, such as Morehouse College, Northwestern University, and Michigan State University, in addition the Universities he attended. In Oak park, Illinois, there is a bronze bust of Julian in one of the parks, as well as a public school dedicated in his name.
Despite his various successes, Dr. Percy Julian had to conquer numerous challenges in order to have a career in chemistry. During his era, African Americans were not encouraged to pursue higher graduate education. One school told Julian’s professor: "Discourage your bright colored lad. We could not get him a job when he's done, and it'll only mean frustration. Why don't you find him a teaching job in a Negro college in the South? He doesn't need a Ph.D. for that." Julian was denied a teaching position at multiple universities, solely because of his race. Julian fought his whole life for the equality of education for African American students who wished to excel in their field of study. He was involved in civil rights causes and worked with the Legal Defense and Education Fund of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Dr. Julian even received death threats, threatening to bomb and burn down his house, if he continued to further his own education, as well as promote the education of other African Americans.
Dr. Julian's life story is truly inspiring and as an African American, woman who wants to go into the medical field, his life resonates with me. I have had to fight my own battles with people who did not believe in me, but nothing to the extent Dr. Julian had to endure. Being able to sit down and talk to someone, who has been so successful in a passion of mine, would be the greatest opportunity in the world. To obtain advice as well as stories of failures, achievements, and everything in between, from someone so well known in the medical field and in African American culture, would be an amazing experience. I would choose to have dinner with Dr. Percy Julian because he led multiple medical advances and was a historic African American leader. I plan to follow his example of strong, talented, and educated AfroAmerican physicians.