84 & Still Protecting America: Meet Louisiana’s Unsung Hero

She’s 84, From Monroe, and She’s Still Protecting Us

Not many people can say they’ve helped keep a country safe from terrorist attacks. Even fewer can say they’re still doing it at 84. But Dr. Betty Harris, born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, isn’t most people.

Dr. Harris grew up one of twelve children in a sharecropping family. By the time she was 16, she was off to Southern University. By 19, she had a chemistry degree. And that was just the beginning. Her work would eventually lead her to Los Alamos National Laboratory—the place where atomic history was made.

The Woman Behind the Bomb Test That Saves Lives

While working at Los Alamos, Dr. Harris developed and patented a spot test for TATB (triaminotrinitrobenzene..trying saying that three times fast...actually, just trying saying it once)—a powerful nitroaromatic explosive. Her test allowed field agents and scientists to detect the presence of explosives with a simple swab.

That test isn’t just sitting on a shelf somewhere. It’s used today by the Department of Homeland Security. It’s part of the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that stops bombs before they ever leave a backpack or a truck. It saves lives in airports, government buildings, and major city centers. Her invention is now part of the nation’s first line of defense.

Her Work Still Speaks—and Protects

Dr. Harris may not be on magazine covers or in viral videos, but her legacy is baked into the safety protocols that millions depend on every day. She didn’t just break barriers as a Black woman in science—she broke ground that makes it harder for terrorists to strike.

She’s 84. She’s brilliant. She’s from Monroe. And she’s still keeping you and me safe.