Helen M. Free
1923 – 2021
August 20, 2021
One of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes is, “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” In the case of Helen M. Free, normal was anything but the case, showcasing remarkable talent that earned her a place in scientific history. She was a significant female pioneer in diabetes testing. In the 1950s, the chemistry superstar developed the “dip-and-read” diabetes test strips that detected levels of glucose in the urine and changed color based on its concentration. This evolutionary test gave diabetics a way to easily check their glucose levels in the comfort of their own home without a trip to the doctor.
While I reflected on Free’s historical presence, I realized she truly blazed the trail for female scientists—she was an inspiration to women in chemistry. In fact, what was most fascinating to me about Free was that she did not immediately select chemistry as her field of study. When she entered the College of Wooster in 1941, she initially planned on majoring in English and Latin. However, because male students were in decline after being drafted for WWII and she was advised to occupy the empty seats of the male-dominated chemistry classes and graduated with a B.S. in chemistry.
Miles Laboratories experienced a postwar expansion of researchers. It was around this time the lab hired Alfred Free. Helen Free interviewed for a position within his research group. The two experienced “true chemistry” and were married two years later. Not only were they undeniably in love, but they also shared a true appreciation for chemistry and became lifelong research partners.
Helen Free served as one of the few female presidents of the American Chemical Society (ACS), her work helped create the international affairs structure of the ACS, and she was the first recipient of the Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach, an award created in her honor.
In 2010, the ACS honored Free’s at-home diabetes testing invention with the National Historic Chemical Landmark designation. What I did not know, is that this breakthrough discovery led to other progressive dip-and-read tests. Other tests included the detection of substances and other proteins, one being particularly revolutionary—the pregnancy protein. Free lived a full and dedicated life to science and to her family and community. She departed this world on May 1, 2021 at the age of 98 in Elkhart, Indiana. Colleagues said they remembered her for her personal touch, care of people, the raising of a large, blended family, and often wearing a bright red jacket, making her easy to spot in professional settings. I so wish I could have bumped into her at an after-hours networking event and chatted her up to learn how she balanced it all or an ACS conference. I’ll definitely be channeling Helen Free’s inspiration the next time I wear my red blazer.
Dearly Departed profiles are the musings of SC Innovates’ Director and SmartState Endowed Chair Laura B. Cardinal. Cardinal teaches a series of courses in Strategic Management of Technology + Innovation, wherein each course adds to the unique fusion of innovation, business strategy, science, and technology. Her courses are offered through the USC Darla Moore School of Business Professional MBA Program.