Libbie Henrietta Hyman Made Impact in Science | The Messenger

Libbie Hyman Photo courtesy of the Webster County Historical Society

Libbie Hyman Libbie Hyman overcame the expectations and restrictions on women in her time to become a well-respected researcher, author and scientist. Photo courtesy of Webster County Historical Society

By Carol Foltz March 18, 2022

Note: Libbie Hyman was a student in the MBL Physiology course and an independent investigator in 1914. She was a course consultant in the Zoology/Invertebrate Zoology course from 1947-1968, and a member of the MBL Corporation from 1948-1968.

She never married.

As a child, she was required to take care of her family’s 10-room house.

She was expected to keep house for her brothers long after they were all grown.

Her love of education and devotion to science would have been considered an unwomanly pursuit in her time.

Her family criticized her intellectual pursuits.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

Libbie Henrietta Hyman was born Dec. 6, 1888, in Des Moines. Her parents were Jewish immigrants.

Joseph Hyman was from a Polish village named Konin. His part of Poland had been taken over by Russia, and he left the area at the age of 14. He emigrated to London, where he worked as a tailor for a few years before coming to the United States. Read more of this story...

Source: Libbie Henrietta Hyman made impact in science | The Messenger