Wright, Jane C., 1919-2013

Variant names

Hide Profile

Dr. Jane C. Wright, n.d.

Jane Cooke Wright was born 30 Nov 1919 in New York City, the daughter of Corinne Cooke and Louis Thompkins Wright, surgeon and cancer researcher. She attended the Ethical- Fieldston School in New York City, going on to Smith College from which she graduated in 1942. She then went on to New York Medical College, receiving her MD in 1945. She married David Jones, an attorney and affirmative action advocate, in 1947. Together they had two daughters, Jane and Alison. After completing her internship and residencies at Bellevue and Harlem Hospitals, she joined the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Foundation, established by her father. She eventually succeeded him as director and continued her research at New York University-Bellevue Medical Center. In 1967 she was appointed Associate Dean of the New York Medical College, the first women in the US to hold such a position at a medical school, a position she held until 1975. She then held appointment there as a professor of surgery, 1975-87. A member of several professional organizations, Wright was a founder and the first secretary treasurer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 1964. She was the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society, 1971and she served on the President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke, 1964-65, as well as the National Advisory Cancer Council, 1966-70. A trustee of Smith College (1970-80), Wright has been recognized by her alma mater: in 1968, she was a Smith Medalist and in 1981, she received the Otelia Cromwell Award. She has received numerous other awards including the Mademoiselle Award (1952) and the American Association for Cancer Research Award (1975).

From the guide to the Jane C. Wright Papers MS 177., 1920-2006, (Sophia Smith Collection)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Jane C. Wright Papers 1920-2006 Sophia Smith Collection
referencedIn Exceptional black scientists collection, 1971-1986, 1980-1984 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archives Section
referencedIn CIBA-GEIGY Corporation. Exceptional black scientists collection, 1971-1986 (bulk 1980-1984). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith CIBA-GEIGY Corporation. corporateBody
correspondedWith Provine, William B. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
African American women physicians
Cancer
Female friendship
Medicine
Physicians
Women physicians
Scientists
Women medical scientists
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1919-11-30

Death 2013-02-19

Female

Americans

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dp2vk5

Ark ID: w6dp2vk5

SNAC ID: 31763961