As part of Holton's celebration of Black History Month, current parent Monica Davis (Morgen Thompson '25) delivered a presentation to Lower School students on Tues., Feb. 26 on African-American inventors.
Ms. Davis—who has a substantial background in patents—introduced students to an array of lesser-known and unknown African American inventors who created largely well-known inventions. For example, girls discovered that in 1986, an African American woman, Dr. Patricia Bath, invented the Laserphaco Probe, which pioneered the use of lasers in cataract surgery and made the procedure more precise and effective. Dr. Bath patented the device two years later, becoming the first African American female to receive a medical patent.
Ms. Davis explained that she independently sought the information to share with her daughter as a means of preserving her African American culture, "now that Morgen is old enough to understand the significance of her ancestors' sacrifices and contributions." Ms. Davis was delighted at the opportunity to share what she had learned with the broader Holton Lower School community.
"My hope is that everyone was able to reflect upon the achievements and sacrifices of the African American community and draw inspiration and guidance from the past, because there is no higher cause of honoring our struggle and ancestors than by remembering," Ms. Davis says.
