Anne DeGruchy Dettner was known for her work on radioisotopes at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and her role as a local activist. Born and raised in San Francisco, she attended UC Berkeley in the 1920’s but was thwarted from graduating due to scheduling difficulties. She eventually earned her BS in biochemistry from the university in the 1960s and was well into graduate research when she was again forced to end her studies for personal reasons. Dettner held various jobs at Stanford’s Lane Hospital, and worked on radioisotope research and bioassay research at the LBNL. She also ran local divisions of advocacy organizations, such as the San Francisco League of Women Voters (president) and National Youth Administration (California director). In this interview, Dettner discusses her San Francisco family and 19th century forebears; cultural life, friends, summers in Tiburon; her education at UC Berkeley, over the years 1922-1960; pursuing a scientific career: experiences at Stanford Hospital (San Francisco), Donner Laboratory, Berkeley Radiation Laboratory, UC Medical School, early radioisotope research, treatment, bioassay programs, publications (1940-1971); public service: positions as San Francisco League of Women Voters presidency (1932-1934), California director, National Youth Administration (1934-1939), United Crusade Settlement House Reorganization Committee chairman (1958) and Aging Committee chairman (1964).