5 Health Innovations You Didn’t Know Were Made By Black Women Inventors
Black women inventors are everywhere — in tech, education, science — you name it. But despite their groundbreaking contributions, society has often overlooked the incredible impact they’ve had, especially in the medical field.
Fortunately, Women’s History Month serves as a timely reminder for us to shine a light on their amazing contributions, and give them the flowers they deserve.
Like Rihanna once famously said, “All girls rock. But black girls — we just on another level!” From improving eye health to helping combat global pandemics, these Black women inventors not only pioneered groundbreaking medical advancements but they also laid the foundation for the innovations that continue to shape modern healthcare today.
Here are five incredible Black women inventors who helped change the world:
Dr. Patricia Bath - The Laserphaco Probe
Before modern advancements, the most common method to perform cataract surgery was manual extraction. Sound intense? That’s because it was. During a manual extraction, surgeons made large incisions in the eye to remove the clouded lens, which put the patient at great risk.
But in 1986, Dr. Patricia Bath changed eye surgery forever when she came up with the Laserphaco Probe. Instead of the invasive manual extraction method, the device used laser technology to remove cataracts. Her innovation made cataract surgery safer and more effective for millions, proving the lasting impact of Black women inventors in medicine.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett - The Covid-19 Vaccine
The Covid-19 pandemic had the entire world in a chokehold, from daily reports of rising case numbers to overwhelmed hospitals. In the midst of it all was an urgent need for a vaccine. And luckily for the rest of us, experts like Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett were on top of it.
Corbett played a key role in developing the Moderna vaccine. As a leading immunologist, she helped design a vaccine that could be produced safely and at record speed. Her work saved millions not just in America, but around the world, highlighting how Black women shape global health advancements.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner - Sanitary Belt
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was a trailblazer when it came to women’s health inventions. Back in 1957, she patented the sanitary belt, a simple yet game-changing idea that helped keep menstrual blood from leaking onto clothes.
At the time, this was a major issue for women, and her invention paved the way for the modern-day menstrual pad. Her work in this area was way ahead of its time, and she’s one of the Black women inventors whose contributions made life a little easier for women everywhere.
Sarah E. Goode - The Folding Bed
If you have ever lived in small space, you know how important it is to maximize every inch of space you have. Fortunately, furniture like storage ottomans and floating shelves have become a lifesaver for saving space. But before that, came the folding bed.
In 1865, African-American businesswoman Sarah E. Goode invented the folding bed — a.k.a. the forerunner of what we know today as the Murphy bed. Then, in 1885, she decided to patent it, becoming one of the first African American women to receive a U.S. patent.
The folding bed improved home organization and comfort, contributing to better sleep and mental well-being. Goode’s work reminds us that good health isn’t just about medicine, it’s also about creating better living environments for overall wellness.
Dr. Marie Maynard Daly - Modern Heart Health Guidelines
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), nearly half (47.3%) of Black women are affected by cardiovascular disease. But before experts understood the link between Black women and cardiovascular conditions, Black women were neglected in this area of research.
That is, until biochemist Dr. Marie Maynard Daly came along. Not only did Daly become the first Black woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry, her research molded how doctors treat heart disease today.
In her research, Daly linked high blood pressure to clogged arteries, laying the foundation for modern guidelines on diet, exercise, and disease prevention, especially in Black communities where heart disease is common.
Sources:
Kizzmekia S Corbett-Helaire | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Honoring Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett | The Oregon Clinic
Patricia E. Bath (1942–2019) | American Chemical Society
Marie Maynard Daly | Science History Institute Museum & Library
Marie M. Daly - Life, Facts & Family | Biography
Sarah E. Goode, (ca.1850-1909), Inventor | America Comes Alive