Freda Friedman Salzman

Freda Friedman Salzman (May 12, 1927 – April 1, 1981) was an American theoretical physicist who was active in Science for the People and the Sociobiology Study Group. She is also known for her well-publicized struggle for employment with the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Early life and education

Freda Friedman Salzman was born Freda Friedman on May 12, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York to Jacob Friedman and Anne Mendolson. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College in 1949 where she was a student of Melba Phillips.

Friedman then earned her PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under Geoffrey Chew. Her dissertation concerned the photoproduction of mesons from a single nucleon.

In 1965, both Freda Salzman and her husband were hired at the newly-opened University of Massachusetts Boston and instructed to begin building teaching and research programs in physics. The University had amended its anti-nepotism policy in 1963 to state that while two family members could now be employed in the same department, if both were highly qualified, only one would be offered tenure. George Salzman was offered a full-time position with tenure while Freda was offered a three-quarter position without tenure.

In 1967, the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts decided not to renew Freda Salzman's position, citing the anti-nepotism policy. Despite support from the physics department, Salzman's position was officially terminated in 1968. A protracted campaign for Salzman to be reinstated followed, in which Salzman received widespread support, including by the university's tenure and grievance committee, the National Organization for Women, and a public petition. As a result of the campaign, the university's board of trustees removed the anti-nepotism policy as a consideration in faculty hiring. Salzman was reappointed as an associate professor without tenure in 1972, and received tenure in 1975. Salzman was outspoken on issues including sexism and sociobiology.

Death and legacy

Salzman was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer in 1979 and died in 1981.