That's Frances with an "E"

German drug manufacturer Gruenenthal just issued what I call a half-hearted apology to the victims of its drug thalidomide. The drug was widely prescribed for morning sickness in Europe from 1957-1961 and as a result, there were more than 10,000 babies born with birth defects.

The drug was never legal for use in the United States, thanks to Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey. Kelsey was a reviewer for the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and she was not comfortable with thalidomide, and it turns out she was right.

Frances Oldham was what my grandmother would have called one smart cookie. Graduating from high school at the age of 15, she was already starting to work toward her doctorate when she was 22. One of her professors urged her to write to Dr. Geiling, a renowned researcher starting a pharmacology program at the University of Chicago, to see if she might work with him. Geiling said yes, in a letter that began "Dear Mr. Oldham." The year was 1936, and I suppose Geiling just assumed that Frances was a man, although usually Francis with an "i" is a man's name and Frances with an "e" is a woman's.

She asked her professor if he thought she should point out that she was a woman, and he said no reason to bring that to Geiling's attention, just sign the letter of reply "Frances Oldham (Miss)"

After my post yesterday about women in power behaving badly, I am very happy to move on to a more positive role model for us girls and women. She is still kicking at 98 years old, and she helped change her world. So after you've read about Suzanne Barr and Janet Napolitano, please give your attention to someone much more worthy of your time.  Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey. That's Frances with an "e."

Susan