Rosalyn Yalow Sussman

Rosalyn Sussman holding a guinea pig, in her lab (http://www.gettyimages.com/photos/rosalyn-sussman- (Getty images))

He'ro (noun) : hir-o Any common person, placed in uncommonly difficult circumstances, who displays uncommonly noble character. Heroism is when someone has the courage or bravery to put someone else's needs before their own, or when they are able to set a good example for others to follow. Being a hero does not necessarily have to be a one time event or a life long commitment, I believe if the action done has a positive effect on someone or something then it is considered heroism. Heroism is rarely found in today's world. In society, celebrities are considered heroes based on anything they do. It is hard to find someone or something good in this ever changing world. People can be heroic on their own. They do not need situations that allow them to be heroic. An act of heroism doesn't have to affect many people, but as long as it affects someone in a good way, they can be seen as a hero. Traits that make up a hero are courage, perseverance, and determination. These traits can be found in a female scientist named Rosalyn Sussman Yalow.

This is Rosalyn Yalow when she was older (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/la ())

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow is the second born child to Simon Sussman and Clara Zipper Sussman in Bronx, New York, on July 19th 1921 (Gale 2). She grew up with her parents and brother, Alexander. Neither of her parents graduated high school, instead they had a plan to provide a better future for Rosalyn and her brother. "Rosalyn's father helped her with her confidence by teaching Rosalyn that girls can do as much as boys" (Gale 2). This confidence would lead her to do something bigger than herself. As Yalow went to college at University of Illinois, she was the only woman out of 400 students, yet this didn't stop her from persevering in her studies. A hero must be impactful to others, and have determination to fight for what is right and what they stand for. Rosalyn Sussman Yalow is hero because, she had the determination to defy gender stereotypes which is seen through her impactful work of discovering RIA, which changed the science world and those around her.

Rosalyn Sussman is a hero because of her determination to get through a hard time where she was one of the only women in her career. She is a great example to women all over the world, more specifically female scientists. She had the determination and was able to pave a path for them to pursue their dreams in a career that was usually for men. In a biography that is co-written by her, she says "In September I went to Champaign-Urbana, the home of the University of Illinois. At the first meeting of the Faculty of the College of Engineering I discovered I was the only woman among its 400 members.." (Schally 6). Due to Rosalyn's work she was able to pave the way for other aspiring female scientists. As seen through her perseverance and achievements, she was able to achieve greatness. Through her determination of breaking gender stereotypes, her effort was rewarded. Sussman was a woman pioneer in her time. She was one of the first woman in her career to earn many prestigious awards. "In 1976 Dr. Yalow became the first woman ever to win the Albert Lasker Prize for Basic Medical Research. As only the second woman to win a Nobel Prize for medicine, she called for women to believe in themselves and match their aspirations with "the competence, courage and determination to succeed." (Baughman 4). She is truly a hero due to her determination to strive for her dreams and get where she wanted to be in her life. In addition, she served as an example to all women, encouraging them to get into the science field.

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow working in the lab (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/la ())

Yalow is a considered a hero because she left a very impactful print on the science world. One of the things that Rosalyn Sussman was well known for was discovering and developing RIA which is used in the science world today. According to a biography written about Rosalyn and her discovery, "Radioimmunoassay is used to measure hundreds of substances of biologic interest in thousands of laboratories in our country and abroad, even in scientifically less advanced lands" (Schally 14). Sussman's discoveries benefitted scientists all over the world because they are able to use RIA to measure essential concentrations in the human body. "Rosalyn Sussman Yalow was co-developer of radioimmunoassay (RIA), a technique that uses radioactive isotopes to measure small amounts of biological substances" (EBSCO 1). Without it we would not be able to measure things such as hormone, viruses and enzymes. If we didn't have her discovery of RIA, masses of people would've died due to lack of ways to measure particles in the body. This has made such an impact on the science and medical world today because it's essential to detecting sickness in blood such as cancer and peptic ulcers. For example in an EBSCO biography it states, "In widespread use, the RIA helps scientists and medical professionals measure the concentrations of hormones, vitamins, viruses, enzymes, and drugs, among other substances" (EBSCO 1). It was very risky for her as woman to come up with this big discovery. Being a woman involved in the science field at this specific time was very challenging. Rosalyn was able to make a positive change that impacted the world around her, making her a hero to everyone.

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow truly inspires me and others, specifically future female scientists because she was able to overcome the hard trial of gender division, and in addition giving them the opportunities for other women to follow in her path that she has created. Through her perseverance and achievements she was able to show that even being the only woman she was able to achieve greatness. She was able to excel and keep doing what she loved. Yalow sets a good example for those who work hard for what they want in their life. Rosalyn was a common person who put herself in a difficult circumstance and also is someone who displayed uncommonly noble character, making her a true hero.