Success to the Third Degree

History-making math doctorates talk about the challenges they faced with being both African American and female in a non-traditional field.
By Lottie L. Joiner

Those in attendance at last December's graduation ceremony at the University of Maryland-College Park can proudly say they witnessed history in the making, as the university bestowed doctoral degrees in mathematics on not one, not two, but three African American women. On that day, Tasha Inniss, Sherry Scott Joseph and Kimberly Weems became the first African American women to receive doctorates in mathematics from the university. Since December, the three have gone on to begin their careers in the field, but not without remembering the many challenges they faced and those who inspired and supported them along the way.

Tasha Inniss
"I always knew that my life would involve math," says Tasha Inniss. "It was so much fun to learn. If I had the right method then there was only one right answer, and to me that was beautiful."
Growing up in New Orleans, Inniss was introduced to math early by her grandfather, a sixth-grade math teacher and Harvard University graduate. By the time she was in the fourth grade, local teachers were entering her into math contests. It was during her undergraduate years at Xavier University in Louisiana that Inniss realized math was her calling. It was also there, while helping young middle-school students in a math summer program, that she realized she had a talent for teaching.
Inniss not only wanted to teach but she also had a desire to develop programs to help young people, especially minority youth, generate an interest and love for math. She knew that in order to do both, she had to get a doctorate. Inniss soon realized, however, that it wasn't going to be an easy feat. There were challenges and obstacles, and eventually self-doubt. She encountered environments where minorities, let alone women, weren't encouraged to pursue math. Her ability was questioned because of her undergraduate training at a historically Black university. And at times, she even questioned herself.
"Getting a Ph.D. alone is difficult, but when you have people intentionally trying to put obstacles in your way, it makes you re-
evaluate your goals and dreams," says Inniss. "You lose self-esteem."
Armed with her doctorate in applied mathematics, today Inniss is a Clare Boothe Luce assistant professor of mathematics at Trinity College in Washington. The professorship was set up for women in math, science and engineering to help in their professional careers. Inniss is one of only 64 women in the country who have been awarded the prestigious professorship.
Inniss also works as a full-time visiting researcher at the Federal Aviation Administration. Her research at the FAA predicts how much traffic airports can handle during inclement weather.
Inniss hopes to help increase the number of minorities in the field by creating programs to help students of color get over the fear and intimidation math seems to inspire in them. At 30, the future is hers.
"I felt that was my ultimate goal, getting a Ph.D.," says Inniss. "I realize that was just the beginning."