Ola B. Watford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ola B. Watford
Ola B. Watford, from a 1972 publication of the NOAA
Born	Ola Mae Bryant March 13, 1927 Kinston, North Carolina
Died	October 18, 1997
Occupation	Geophysicist

Ola Mae Bryant Watford (born March 13, 1927 – died October 18, 1997) was an American scientist. She was a geophysicist, which means she studied the Earth's physical processes. She worked for the United States Department of Commerce for more than 20 years.

Early Life and Learning

Ola Mae Bryant grew up in Kinston, North Carolina. Her father was a minister, a publisher, and a tobacco farmer. She was a very smart student.

College Education

In 1946, when she was only 19, Ola Mae earned her first college degree. She studied mathematics at Johnson C. Smith University. While there, she joined a group called Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Later, she moved to Washington, D.C., to continue her studies. She earned a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado later in her life.

Her Career as a Scientist

Before becoming a scientist, Ola Mae Watford taught high school math for a few years. Then, in 1951, she started working for the United States government. Her first job was at the Naval Oceanographic Office.

Studying Earth's Magnetism

In 1953, she moved to the National Geodetic Survey. By 1973, she was the only woman geophysicist working for the United States Department of Commerce. She worked at a special center in Boulder, Colorado. Her job was to map and study data about the Earth's magnetic field. This field protects our planet from space radiation.

Promoting Fairness at Work

Ola Mae also cared about fairness in the workplace. She was part of a committee that worked for equal job opportunities. She also represented women in a special program for federal employees. In 1973, she traveled with an exhibit about Earth sciences. She also attended a meeting of the Geological Society of America, a group for Earth scientists.

Leading a Team

By 1981, Ola Mae Watford had become a leader. She was the chief of the Space Management and Design branch. This was at the NOAA office in Rockville, Maryland.

Her Scientific Work

Ola Mae Watford was the main author of a scientific paper in 1965. It was called "Isomagnetic patterns in the regions of the 1965 dip poles." This paper helped scientists understand more about Earth's magnetic field.

Her Family Life

In 1947, Ola Mae Bryant married Alven Wardell Watford. He was an economist. They had a big family with six children: five sons and one daughter. Her husband passed away in 1991. Ola Mae Watford died in 1997 when she was 70 years old. She is buried with her husband at Quantico National Cemetery.