Jane Wright

 Jane Wright, oncologist and Smith College Class of 1942, earned her M.D. from New York Medical College in 1945, completed internship and residencies at Bellevue and Harlem Hospitals, then worked at the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Foundation while continuing her research at New York University-Bellevue Medical Center. She was Associate Dean of the New York Medical College (1967-75), the first women in the United States to hold such a position at a medical school; and was professor of surgery there, 1975-87. She was also the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society (1971). Dr. Wright was the founder of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the major professional organization for this specialty of physicians.

She served on the President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke, 1964-65, as well as the National Advisory Cancer Council, 1966-70. A trustee of Smith College (1970-80), Wright has been recognized by her alma mater: in 1968, she was a Smith Medalist and in 1981, she received the Otelia Cromwell Award. She has received numerous other awards including the Mademoiselle Award (1952) and the American Association for Cancer Research Award (1975).

Dr. Wright's papers are part of the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College (view finding aid)