It is a great privilege and honor to have the opportunity to represent the National Medical Association in this tribute to Dr. Jane Cooke Wright. I first met Dr. Wright during as ASCO meeting and maintained subsequent contact.

She is affectionately known in the cancer research community as the Mother of Chemotherapy. She is not only known as the Mother of Chemotherapy, but Dr. Wright is listed in the Women Pioneers of Medical Research and among the top Medical Researchers.

As a researcher, physician, administrator, teacher, mentor, educator, her many discoveries have brought continued health into the lives of millions of people. Across the board, doctors and research scientists dedicated themselves to find cures and treatment for some of the most severe and significant diseases that have challenged mankind for many ages.

One such woman has left one such indelible mark in the world of medicine and medical disparities, not only in the fight against cancer, but, against other diseases. You have already heard and most are aware of the research accomplishments of Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, including that she is credited with developing the technique of using human tissue culture rather than laboratory mice to test the effects of potential drugs on cancer cells.

She also pioneered the use of the drug methotrexate to treat breast cancer and skin cancer. However, Dr. Wright and many of her family members were also active in the National Medical Association. It is well recognized that the National Medical Association was formed in 1895, when physicians of color could not join nor become members of the American Medical Association.