Bringing Change in the Research Field
I AM AFRICAN & I CAN is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 06/29/2019
Born in Dakar, Senegal, Fatoumata Barry has been a fighter all her life. Because she grew up anemic, her parents were convinced that she would live a short life. Not only did she live longer than expected, but she also excelled academically and overcame a traumatic experience that became a blessing in disguise.
Many of her childhood memories were spent indoors or traveling to different countries in Africa to seek treatment for her illness. Her mother found it challenging to raise a child that was anemic and hyper, so Fatoumata’s grandmother stepped in to give a helping hand.
One day, she was sent to her older sister’s school for a day to keep herself occupied since she was filled with energy. Instead, they discovered that she was a brilliant child. When the teacher started a math problem, she would solve the problem in her head before everyone else.
Her father became her biggest supporter the moment he found out that she was interested in school. He did everything in his power to help her get an education. He also reassured her that education was a priority, and she would never get married against her will.
Eventually, her health improved, and she moved to Massachusetts as a teenager. She ended up completing high school in just three years and with a 4.9 GPA (she became valedictorian). She later enrolled into the University of Massachusetts and majored in Biochemistry.
Fortunately, after graduating with a bachelor’s she received a job offer at a top hospital (Massachusetts General Hospital), where she partakes in conducting the biggest and most funded research study called ALL of US. The study aims to speed up medical breakthroughs and create more precise health treatment.
Being one of the few black women in the research field, Fatoumata says that more black women are needed in the field. She says that most of the research is usually done on Caucasians. But she intentionally chose to research people of color to have diversity. “If [people of color] want to be represented in different research and medication, we have to be part of research,” she explained. Adding that people of color cannot expect to get personalized medication if they are not included in the research process.
Fatoumata’s niece, Aissata Barry, says: “It is quite difficult for me to describe Fatoumata in just a few words because I can go on and on about how amazing of a person she is. She is the most caring, hard-working, and selfless person I know. She is an altruistic individual and always puts other people's needs above hers.”
They say that the sincerest deeds are the ones done in secrecy.
“She does not like to be praised for her good deeds, therefore, much of what she does for others is done in private. That is a rare characteristic. She is my role model and inspires me to do good, work hard and put my family first. I pray to Almighty God to grant me a fraction of the kindness, humility and selflessness that is embodied by my Tanti,” Aissata said.
In 2017, Fatoumata went through a traumatic experience that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She gave birth to a 6-month-old premature baby, who weighed only 1 pound and 13 ounces. Her daughter was so tiny that she could fit in her palm. The moment she saw her baby, she burst into tears because in her mind there was no way the baby could live and grow up healthy.
People in the community smothered her with despicable comments like she “didn’t deserve to be a mother” and gave birth to a premature baby because “God was punishing her.”
Visitors went to see her at the hospital mainly to tell her what people in the community were saying about her. Imagine being in the hospital while trying to heal from the pain that comes with getting a C-section (Cesarian section) and the stress of birthing a premature baby, and then hearing negative comments about you. The shame she felt ingrained suicidal thoughts in her mind. But she concluded that if she ended her life because of comments from people, her daughter would suffer all her life.
She decided to turn to God and hard work. For the three months she was at the hospital, she would shower, eat, and pray over her daughter the entire day. That experience strengthened her psyche and solidified her faith.
Fatoumata's daughter is 21 months old now. She is amazed at how her daughter has been able to grow so beautifully. She noticed that there are far more African Americans experiencing defects during pregnancy, and the reasoning does not add up. The trauma she went through with her daughter inspired her to focus her next research on pregnant black women. Initially, she wanted to pursue her PhD right after graduation. But she had to put that plan on hold when her daughter came in the picture because her child needed her undivided attention. Being able to get back up after being knocked down by life’s unexpected challenges proves that this woman is ambitious, strong-minded, and unbreakable. After gaining experience in the workforce, she will go back for her PhD.
Inside the Life of a Biochemist
“If we want to be represented in different research and medication, we have to be part of research.”
Fatoumata's daughter
“To our miracle baby: there may come a time when you feel weak or hopeless. But remember how you spent your 3rd trimester in the NICU fighting to survive. I watched you fight for breath. I was amazed by your courage and determination to have the breathing and feeding tubes removed when you cried nonstop to get the doctors and nurses to listen. When hard times come, remember you are strong, you are blessed, you are loved and you were born ready. ”
Fatoumata and her family
“I am grateful to have a husband who loves and supports everything that I do. Having our daughter at the NICU was hard on both of us, but he always prioritize my needs over his own. I wonder how he managed to drive me to the hospital everyday, making sure I eat and shower daily while he still went to work and complete his MBA courses. We would spend days and nights with our little one (our baby) with optimism and hope. He is my emotional support and a true bread winner for the family and he has always encouraged me to be the best.”
“No matter what happens to you, your attitude can help you. You can also get through anything with prayer and patience.”
“A strong woman is someone who doesn’t give up, doesn’t take “no” for an answer, and loves unconditionally without expecting anything in return.”
“Success is breaking boundaries and doing the things that you love and while at it giving a hand to anyone who’s in need.”
Connect with Fatoumata:
Facebook: Fatoumata Barry
Instagram: @barrypulo
Email: bfatoumata42@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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