Tilghman was born and grew up in Toronto, Canada. She feels that Canada's policies of putting the group before the individual has definitely influenced her. She also mentions that her father made a major impact on her life by supporting women's rights and encouraging her interest in math and science.
Transcript:Shirley Tilghman
Transcript: I was born in Toronto, Canada. I think the biggest difference that I see between Canada and the United States where I currently live is the fundamental difference of whether the group rights are trumped by the individual, or whether the individual’s rights are trumped by the group. I think in Canada it is the former. And I think that has very much influenced who I am as a person.