Lynda Marie Jordan facts for kids

Lynda Marie Jordan (born September 20, 1956) is an American biochemist. She is also a minister and the founder of A Place to Heal Ministries, Inc. Dr. Jordan made history as the third Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

She was a special researcher at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Later, she became a chemistry professor at North Carolina A&T State University. Dr. Jordan was also the first woman invited to the MLK Visiting Professor program at MIT. She was the first person at Harvard University to earn two master's degrees at the same time. These degrees were in public health and divinity.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Boston

Lynda Jordan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1956. Her father worked with meat, and her mother took care of their home. Lynda was the oldest of three sisters. When her parents separated, Lynda helped her mother a lot. She helped with money and taking care of her younger sisters. Her family lived in a housing project. Many families there relied on public assistance to get by.

When Lynda was 11, her mother remarried. Lynda, her sisters, and her mother moved to Dorchester. They lived with their new stepfather and his 12 children. Lynda felt a bit lost during this time. She started spending time on the streets.

Finding Her Path with Upward Bound

One day, Lynda was trying to avoid a teacher at Dorchester High School. She had been caught smoking in the gym. She hid in an auditorium where a program called Upward Bound was happening. She heard the speaker, Joseph Warren, ask, "What are you going to do with your life - hang out on the street corner?" Lynda felt like he was talking directly to her.

She talked to Mr. Warren and joined the Upward Bound program. This program helps students prepare for college. During her first summer in the program, Lynda was recognized for how much she had improved. This was a big moment for her. She realized she was smart and could do well in school. She went back to Upward Bound for two more summers. She even finished the science lessons early. Mr. Warren then hired a tutor to teach her advanced chemistry.

College and Advanced Studies

Lynda graduated from high school in 1974. Mr. Warren encouraged her to go to North Carolina A&T State University. She first studied nursing but then changed to chemistry. She was a leader in her honor society and a member of a sorority. After a summer program at Harvard, she became very interested in biochemistry. In 1978, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Lynda then went to Atlanta University for her master's degree. She did research at Morehouse School of Medicine. In 1980, she earned her Master of Science degree in biochemistry. She did very well on her graduate exams. This led to her being invited to study for her Ph.D. at MIT.

Before starting at MIT, Lynda worked at Polaroid Corporation in 1981. She began her Ph.D. in biological chemistry that fall. At the time, very few students in the program were women or Black. Lynda helped lead the Black Graduate Student Association. In 1985, she became only the third Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT.

Career and Research

Researching Enzymes in Paris

After getting her Ph.D., Dr. Jordan went to Paris, France. She did special research at the Pasteur Institute. She also received grants from French health and medical research groups. She worked with Françoise Russo-Marie. They studied an enzyme called phospholipase A2 (PLA-2). This enzyme is linked to health problems like asthma and arthritis. Dr. Jordan successfully found PLA-2 in human placentas. Her work helped scientists understand how to treat diseases caused by this enzyme.

Teaching and Mentoring

In 1987, Dr. Jordan returned to North Carolina A&T State University. She became an assistant professor of chemistry. She worked to improve the biochemistry lab there. She continued her research on PLA-2. She also presented her findings with her students at conferences around the world. She was recognized for her excellent teaching. She also received awards for supporting students from groups who are often underrepresented in science.

Leadership and Ministry

In 1997, Dr. Jordan was invited to be a visiting professor at MIT. She was the first woman to receive this honor. She stayed at MIT until 2000. During this time, she also studied at Harvard University. She earned two master's degrees at the same time. One was a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. The other was a Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. She was the first person in Harvard's history to do this.

Later, she became an associate minister at a church in Massachusetts. In 2010, she started her own organization, A Place to Heal Ministries.

Awards and Publications

Recognized for Science and Education

In 1995, a TV show called Nova featured Dr. Jordan. The show was called Discovering Women. One episode, "Jewels in a Test Tube," told her life story and highlighted her scientific work. First Lady Hillary Clinton honored Dr. Jordan at the documentary's premiere. She praised Dr. Jordan's important work in science and science education.

In 1998, Dr. Jordan received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award from MIT. In 2000, she took part in a meeting for world peace in Hong Kong.

In 2017, Dr. Jordan wrote a book. It is called Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Building Bridges of Hope through the Holy Spirit. The book discusses health differences among different groups of people.