Celebrating Women’s History Month: Professor Patty Crowley

Image Courtesy of Elinor Silverio, Dean College student, picturing Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 students with Professor Crowley and Dr. Poirier.

Patty Crowley, Assistant Professor in Biology and Lab Manager at Dean College, met with the Dean Daily to discuss Women’s History Month. With a Bachelor of Art in biology and secondary education, Master of Art in teaching biology, and Master of Education in school counseling, Crowley has been studying within the science and education field for a long time.

To Crowley, science is “exciting and critical to everyone’s life.” She loves that it’s “saving lives, making lives, and solving problems in our world today such as climate change and vaccine development.”

The Importance of Women’s History Month:

“It is so important to spread the word,” said Crowley. “Women are so underrepresented in many areas, especially in science. In textbooks it’s the old white men who were credited with work that they actually didn’t do.”

As an example, Crowley gave Rosalind Franklin. “She discovered DNA, but she didn’t win any prizes and wasn’t published. There is a lack of credit for the work of women. There are women amongst women who are un-represented by race, sexual orientation, and all walks of life. That needs to change.”

Crowley says that she feels fortunate in her circumstance. “My background is related to teaching and my family are all educators. One of my relatives was connected to the college I attended, and because of her, I was given opportunities. I feel privileged.”

Some of Crowley’s biggest positive influencers were her dad and teachers she had as a student. “My dad was a biology teacher, and then I had a high school biology teacher that was very inspiring to me in the sense for his love for the students. I went to a Catholic, all-women’s college taught by the Sisters of Saint Joseph.” She remembers one of them saying, “It is all in the knowing.” Crowley believes in the importance of “knowing your students and colleagues in order to be better people, students, and citizens.”

At the end, some inspiration is noted that Crowley has for her students. “If there’s anything I can offer, I hope that any young women interested in science knows that there is a place for them. If it’s your dream, don’t let any obstacle get in your way. It is my privilege to help students achieve their dreams,” and to show them that “if they set their mind to it, they can do it.”