Love, Sex, and Mushrooms: Adventures of a Woman in Science, a talk by world-renowned scientist and memoir author Carlene Raper

Thursday September 25, 7:00 p.m. Varnum Memorial Library, 194 Main St., Jeffersonville

Cardy Raper is not a woman who takes “no” for an answer: When her mother told her she should become a nurse, Cardy informed her in no uncertain terms that she was going to be a scientist making grand discoveries. Science was a man’s world then so Cardy was in for some high hurdles, not to mention personal tragedy.

At the University of Chicago she met her mentor John “Red” Raper--an equally stubborn and spirited scientist. Cardy and Red married, had 2 children, and together unraveled sexual reproduction in mushroom-bearing fungi. Red’s sudden death at 62 left Cardy alone to support two children through college, while forging a career alone in the male-dominated world of cutting-edge science. Cardy carried on. Her discoveries helped uncover how genes throughout the animal kingdom—including humans—encode molecules for mating, sight, smell, and taste.

Dr. Raper is the third writer in the Author! Author! Series focused on Vermont authors. Come hear about her extraordinary journey to internationally celebrated scientist against difficult odds. More details about her life and accomplishments can be found at www.cardyraper.com.

Please join us Thursday September 25 at 7:00 p.m. for this FREE event.
Light refreshments will be served.