mortuary facility. Her institute only provided embalming services to deceased women.[4] Odou went on to found the Women’s Licensed Embalmer Association, which provided professional support, networking opportunities, and a community to other women interested in mortuary science.

Odou’s school provided professional opportunities for women in mortuary science, some of whom would go on to open their own schools. Renowned embalmer, author, and teacher Mrs. Lena R. Simmons attended Odou’s school. Simmons then created a school in her name, which made a lasting impact on my hometown of Syracuse, NY. Founded in 1900 with her husband, Charles A. Genung, it was originally named the Genung-Simmons Embalming Institute. The school always opened its doors to female applicants and was considered a coeducational school from its very beginning. Simmons actively wrote abouther embalming chemistry research in funerary publications and also served as a faculty member at the school. She also developed subcutaneous suturing in arterial embalming, also known as “the blind stitch.”

Her legacy in the mortuary sciences spoke to a particular culture and trade that allowed women to practice as professionals in a job where many men flourished. The school changed hands through time; it was handed over to Maurice Wightman (a graduate of the school) in 1986. The school closed recently in 2013, amidst allegations and a lawsuit against Wightman that cited various sexual harassment complaints made by female students and faculty members. This end chapter has unfortunately tarnished the progressive legacy of the school.

Although death may be approached as a profession or subject of last resort, it