Marguerite Williams

She was the first African American to earn a doctorate in geology in the United States and dedicated most of her career to teaching geography and social sciences.

[1][2] Williams is a pioneer among geoscientists in recognizing how human activity and landscape management impact erosional processes and the risks of natural flooding.

[8] When the Industrial Revolution occurred, an abundance of trees offered a ready source of fuel, leading to mass deforestation in the regions surrounding the Anacostia River.

Due to European settlement and agricultural processes that necessitated a mass deforestation of these trees, human activity was seen as the primary reason for the erosion which occurred in the Anacostia River.

[11] Women pursuing advancements in science experience a lack of mentoring, struggle to gain respect and credibility from peers and administrators, are burdened to act as caregivers to their families, face overt discrimination, and encounter harassment/sexual harassment.

African American women enrolled in doctoral programs have a high rate of isolation, lack of guidance and support from the faculty, and few opportunities to advance professionally.

[2] Since 2020, the Marguerite T. Williams Award has been presented annually by the American Geophysical Union to mid-career scientists who have significantly contributed to the research or community building in earth and planetary surface processes studies.

[17] The University College London Department of Earth Sciences, introduced a scholarship under Marguerite’s name for students who have successfully who have published works that invoke actions or proposed methods to counter discrimination and racism in their institution.