Vilma Rose (Dalton-Webb) Hunt, 1926-

Vilma Rose Hunt, dentist, scientist, researcher, writer, environmental activist and feminist, was born on November 15, 1926, in Sydney, Australia, the daughter of Margaret Rose (Lynch) and William Dalton-Webb. When she was seven years old the family moved to Kempsey, New South Wales, where she attended public school and was an outstanding student and athlete. After graduating from high school (1942) she did a post-graduate year and volunteer war work until she was old enough to serve in the women's branch of the Australian Air Force.

In 1946 VRH was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship and entered the University of Sydney Dental School. She graduated in 1950 and practiced in New Zealand for two years before moving to the United States. At the Forsyth Dental Infirmary (Boston, Mass.) VRH met Edward Eyre Hunt; they were married in 1952 and had four children. EEH died in 1991.

In 1985, VRH wrote, "My research for the past 25 years has dealt with radium, polonium and radiation standards from the vantage points of radiation chemistry, radiation biology and occupational health." Her busy professional life is reflected in the following chronology.

During these years, and after her retirement, VRH also travelled widely in the U.S. and other countries, researching, lecturing, consulting, serving on panels, and presenting papers; was active in professional, feminist, and environmental organizations; and published extensively. More biographical information is available in this collection.