Interviewer(s): D. Austin. New Iberia, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I first met Wilma Subra in 1998 when I was conducting interviews for the study of oilfield waste issues that we conducted for the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs. When I told her about the oral history study, she was enthusiastic about the study and the opportunity to document the impacts of the offshore industry on southern Louisiana. When I called to set up an interview, she invited me to meet her at her office in New Iberia.

Wilma Subra grew up in Morgan City, Louisiana. When she was in the seventh grade, she began working during the summers in her father's office and lab. That experience initiated her lifelong interest in chemistry. She attended college at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and graduated with degrees in chemistry and microbiology. She then continued graduate studies in microbiology, chemistry, and computer science. After graduation, Wilma got a job at the newly created Gulf South Research Institute. She and her husband had two children. After 14 years with GSRI, Wilma decided to open Subra, Inc. to provide technical assistance and information to communities. She still operates the business and was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship for her community work.