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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Julia E. Freeman

Laboratory Assistant; Chemistry DivisionChicago, IL

Manhattan Project VeteranProject Worker/Staff

Julia Elaine Freeman graduated high school early at age 16. She was also the only African American woman in her high school graduating class of 1940. During high school she had been a member of her school’s chemistry club.

After graduating high school, Julia attended the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Howard University in Washington, D.C. After receiving her degree she attended Columbia University in New York City where she enrolled in the univerity’s teachers’ college.

During the Second World War, Julia worked as a laboratory assistant at the Metallurgical Laboratory (“Met Lab“) in Chicago. She worked with a number of other women technicians in the Manhattan Project, such as Addie SaundersNellie JenningsEleese Bowman, Evelyn J. BrownValda B. Lemke, and Marilyn Jordan.

Julia E. Freeman was the daughter of Elsie Mae Freeman and went on to have a successful career as an educator.

 

 

 

Information provided by Julia’s daughter, Pamela E. Johnson.

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