Lilia Ann Abron

Lilia Ann Abron
Born (1945-03-08) March 8, 1945
Memphis, Tennessee U.S.
Occupation Entrepreneur
Chemical Engineer
Years active 1972-present
Known for First African American woman to be awarded a PhD in Chemical Engineering

Lilia Ann Abron (born March 8, 1945) is an entrepreneur and chemical engineer.[1] In 1972, Abron became the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemical engineering.[2][3]

Early life and education

Abron was born in Memphis, Tennessee.[4]

In 1966, Abron earned a B.S. in chemistry from LaMoyne College, and an M.S. in sanitary engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1968.[1][4] She began her PhD in September 1968 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and completed it at the University of Iowa.[4]

Career

Abron was an assistant professor of civil engineering at Tennessee State University, held a joint appointment as an assistant professor of environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University and was an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Howard University.[5] In 1978, Abron founded and became CEO of PEER Consultants, PC.[2][6][7] She was the first African American to start an environmental engineering firm.[8] In 1995, Abron founded Peer Africa with the mission of building energy-efficient homes in post-apartheid South Africa.[5] In 2004, she was elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[9] Abron gives presentations related to energy and the environment.[10][11]

Personal life

Abron is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

She cites the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson as an inspiration for entering the environmental movement.[1]

Honors

  • Hancher-Finkbine Alumni Medallion from the University of Iowa, 1999
  • Magic Hands Award by LeMoyne-Owen College, 2001
  • National Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2004[5]

Personal life

Abron has three sons.[5] Abron plays the hand bells.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tennant, Kristin. "Engineering Better Lives". WUSTL Magazine. Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  2. 1 2 "Lilia A. Abron". University of Iowa College of Engineering. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  3. ↑ "Inventors & Inventions". The Indianapolis Recorder. August 28, 2015. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  4. 1 2 3 Jeannette Brown (16 November 2011). "8". African American Women Chemists. Oxford University Press. pp. 143–150. ISBN 978-0-19-990961-2.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Lilia Abron | The HistoryMakers". www.thehistorymakers.com. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  6. ↑ Chuma, Wallace (July 11, 2004). "A South African cause hits close to home". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  7. ↑ Moulden, Yolanda. "2012 Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science™ Competition Winners". www.aaees.org. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  8. ↑ "About". PEER Consultants, PC. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  9. ↑ "List of Activie Members by Class" (PDF). Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Fall 2015. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  10. ↑ Johnson, Reginald (June 1, 2012). "DC will play host for World Environment Day". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2016-08-03 – via NewsBank.
  11. ↑ "19th Annual Iowa Renewable Energy Symposium and Exposition in Iowa City". Daily Iowegian. Centerville, IA. April 23, 2011. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  12. ↑ "Lilia A. Abron | College of Engineering | The University of Iowa". www.engineering.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2017-02-17.


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