April 1991

Dr. Bernadine Healy ’65 became the first female director of the National Institutes of Health. During her first weeks as director, Healy announced a major research effort on neglected female medical issues. Healy “commands attention,” wrote The New York Times, “with her palpable intelligence, her clear sense of direction and her neat, very blonde presence.” Self-identified as a Republican, she told The Times “my heart and soul is feminist.”