Hilda P. Willett Oral History Interview, May 21, 2007

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
None.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Willett, Hilda P.
Abstract:
Hilda P. Willett (1923-2013) was the first female in Duke's Department of Microbiology (now the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology) and the first person to receive a PhD from that department, later becoming a full professor. This collection contains 1 oral history interview conducted on May 21, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit. In this interview, Willett discusses her memories of being a female in Duke's Department of Microbiology.
Extent:
1 interview (2 master CDs, 2 use CDs, and 1 transcript)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
OH.WILLETTH

Background

Scope and content:

Includes 1 oral history interview with Dr. Hilda P. Willett conducted on May 21, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit.
In this interview, Willett discusses her memories of being a female in Duke's Department of Microbiology.
The transcription of this interview was made possible by a grant from the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Hilda Pope Willett was born on July 15, 1923 in Decatur, Georgia. She received her AB in 1944 from Georgia State College for Women, and her MA in 1946 from Duke University. In 1949, she received a PhD in Microbiology and Biochemistry from Duke University, studying tuberculosis with Dr. David Tillerson (D. T.) Smith. She was one of the first females in her department and the first person to receive a PhD from the department.
She continued her career at Duke Medicine until her retirement. In 1948, Willett became an instructor in the Department of Microbiology (now the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology), and became an associate in 1950. In 1964, she became a full professor in the department, and in 1971, she became the director of graduate studies for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the chair of the Committee for Graduate Studies within the department.
In 1961, Willett received the Alumnae Achievement Award from Georgia State College for Women for Distinguished Service in Microbiology. She is the author or coauthor of numerous articles and chapters.
Willett died on November 12, 2013 in High Point, North Carolina as a result of Parkinson's disease.

Acquisition information:
Accession A2007.128 (May 2007)
Processing information:

Processed by Jessica Roseberry: June 2008; encoded by Dawne Howard Lucas: November 2008

Arrangement:
Organized into the following series: Interview, May 21, 2007.
Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Duke University Medical Center Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

None.

Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Hilda P. Willett Oral History Interview, Duke University Medical Center Archives.