Student Development & Recruitment
Promoting Global-minded Professionals

Shirley Ann Jackson

President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
B.S., Ph.D., (Physics)

• Former high-level government appointee, university professor, research scientist, consultant, and corporate director
• First African-American woman to receive a doctorate from M.I.T. in any subject
• Holds ten honorary doctoral degrees
• First woman and first African-American to serve as Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998

"I would encourage you to reflect briefly on the sources of inspiration that women can to to each other-as achievers, mothers, sisters, and daughters. The first role-that of the individual achiever-inspires by example, and by the contributions that the achievements return to the community. The inspirational role of the mother is dual-the resilience and wisdom passed down through generations and the nurturing role that successful women provide for those who follow. Sisterhood, in turn, allows us to inspire one another through circles of support and identification, communication networks that foster a sense of belonging. And daughters are a source of inspiration because they represent our future, our anticipation of continued progress, embodying our hope of a society in which even the more subtle forms of discrimination finally are eradicated. Regardless of our degree of anonymity or recognition, regardless or our age or generation, each of us has a role to lay in inspiring each other, adding to the momentum with which women continue to break down barriers and shatter stereotypes."