Click on the scientists' names below to hear their stories.
| Rebecca Cole |
(1846-1922). The second African-American woman to become a doctor. Rebecca spent nearly half a century as a working doctor while also fighting for the rights of African-Americans, women, and the poor. |
| Annie Jump Cannon |
(1863-1941). An astronomer who was deaf, Annie developed a star classification system based on temperature. Annie’s mnemonic device—“Oh Be a Fine Girl and Kiss Me!” (O.B.F.G.K.M.)—is still used by students and astronomers today to remember the stellar temperature classes. |
| Elizabeth Kenny |
(1880-1952). A self-taught nurse from Australia who brought her effective methods of treating polio to the United States. She became an American heroine by saving many lives. |
| Grace Hopper |
(1906-1992). A computer scientist and U.S. Navy Admiral. As a young girl, Grace admired her mother for being very good in math. She went on to be a pioneer in computer programming. |
| Myra Logan |
(1908-1977). The first woman to perform open heart surgery and the first African-American woman elected to the American College of Surgeons. |
| Joy Adamson |
(1910-1980). A naturalist and wildlife conservationist, best known for her observations on animal behavior. Joy authored the bestselling book, “Born Free,” the true story of a lioness’ life in Kenya. |
| Eleanor Rosch |
(b.1938). An American psychologist best known for her theories in categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood. Eleanor developed these theories while studying the Dani tribe in Papua New Guinea. |
| Sally Ride |
(b.1951). The first American woman astronaut. Sally Ride traveled to space twice on the space shuttle Challenger. |
| Diane France |
(b.1954). A forensic anthropologist who uses science to help people. As a “bone detective,” France helped identify victims of the September 11th attacks. |
| Cynthia Braezeal |
(b.1967). A robot designer and professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Breazeal created Kismit, an advanced robot designed to simulate human facial expressions and social interaction. |
| Kate Kirby |
A professor of physics at Harvard University. Kate Kirby successfully balances work in atomic and molecular physics with motherhood. |
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