Online Schools Guide to Prominent Women of Mathematics

Historically, women were largely prohibited from attending college and attaining advanced degrees in any subject. Women who pursued mathematics were especially discouraged from formal learning. For this reason, many were forced to educate themselves despite having limited resources. Due to strict cultural perceptions in many societies, parents often attempted to prevent their daughters from learning about mathematics. It was also deemed inappropriate for those not of aristocratic heritage to study the science. In some cases women interested in the subject would sneak books from their parents or husbands, and read in the dark. The Guide to Women in Mathematics provides high quality resources which discuss mathematicians who were able to overcome outstanding adversity and were successful in contributing to the discipline. Just one source of information among our many mathematical guides, this reference is intended for students, teachers, and anyone interested in learning about math.

Prominent Women in Mathematics

Succeeding as a woman in mathematics (a highly male dominated field even today) required extreme persistence and determination.  Though there are surely many women mathematicians who remain unrecognized, this section presents the most prominent women as they are known today. Overcoming the extreme adversity they faced, women have made many significant mathematical developments. Sophie Germain is among the foremost established female mathematicians in history. Living during the tumultuous French Revolution of the eighteenth century, her contribution to mathematics was marked by adversity. Assuming the identity of a man, Germain worked tirelessly to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem. Her knowledge of mathematics was especially discouraged due to her non-aristocratic background. Eventually, after forcing her own way through an advanced education, Germain consulted with Carl Friedrich Gauss, who was considered the greatest mathematician of the time. Despite the challenges she faced, she observed a particular type of prime number which would later take her name and made significant contributions to the understanding of elastic surfaces. Many of the contributions she has made continue to have a lasting impact on mathematics.

• Hypatia of Alexandria – Born in the ancient city famed for its highly educated society, Hypatia was the first estimable woman mathematician. Working as a headmistress for the Platonist school in Alexandria, she followed in the teachings of Plato and Aristotle.
• Elena Cornaro Piscopia was the first woman in the world to earn a doctorate degree. Having studied extensively at the University of Padua, she became heavily involved in academic issues, and was a member of many academies.
• Maria Agnesi wrote the first book which discussed both differential and integral calculus. Another one of her greatest contributions was Instituzioni analitiche ad uso della gioventu italiana which was an extensive introduction to the works of Euler.
• Mary Somerville was a Scottish born woman who was dedicated to explaining astronomy and the physical sciences through mathematics. Her textbooks were well received and imparted knowledge of advanced scientific theories onto non-specialists in the Western world.
• Ada Lovelace (Augusta Byron) wrote the first algorithm which would be processed by a machine, and is considered the world’s first computer programmer. Charles Babbages’ analytical engine was a plan for the first general use computer, which would not actually be built until about 100 years later.
• Sofia Kovalevskaya aided in the formation of partial differential equations through the discovery of one of its fundamental principles. She was also one of the first women awarded with a doctoral degree in mathematics and later went on to become one of the first female university professors.
• Florence Nightingale used statistical information in order to improve societal practices. She presented medical and health related data through graphical representations and is responsible for leading to the reformation of conditions in England’s hospitals.
• Amalie Emmy Noether – Famous for the development of concepts used in abstract algebra and physics, Noether escaped Nazi Germany to continue her work. In a letter to the New York Times, Albert Einstein wrote that she was, “the most significant creative mathematical genius thus far produced,” since women were accepted into higher education. Currently, the Association for Women in Mathematics presents distinguished women in mathematics through the Noether Lectures.

Women’s Contributions to Mathematics

The contributions that these prominent women have made in the field of mathematics are substantial and varied. Women such as Mary Somerville showed British society that women could not only understand mathematics and science, but could indeed excel and even possess advanced knowledge. The books Sommerville wrote further educated those without knowledge of specialist jargon and language, and effectively informed readers about scientific concepts they may have otherwise not been exposed to. Other figures such as Florence Nightingale enacted social change through mathematics, inventing graphing techniques such as the polar area diagram along the way. Her representations of data lead to more effective health care practices in England, and advanced the field of statistics. Other women’s contributions were based more heavily in theory or understanding the processes of certain types of mathematics. Sofia Kovalevskaya, for instance is responsible for what is known as the Kovalevsky top. A solid example of an integrable system, this concept is developed from the theory of hyperelliptic Riemann surfaces as well as abelian functions and is considered to be among the greatest findings in modern mathematics. She is also well-known for her work in developing the Cauchy-Kovalevsky Theorem which contributes to understandings of partial differential equations. Sophie Germain also worked extensively in theory and dedicated herself to attempting to solve Fermat’s Last Theorem.  Having risen to the challenge of innovating new approaches to solving problems, developing graphical representations of data and overall leading to further development of major concepts, women have made a number of important discoveries and additions to mathematics.

Additional Resources for Learning about Women in the Field of Mathematics

While the contributions of women in mathematics have been significant throughout history, women’s involvement in advanced levels of mathematics must continue. Though the discipline is much more accepting of women than in the past, there remains some amount of inequality in treatment and opportunity. Far fewer women in academia reach tenure track positions or other highly esteemed roles than men. Groups such as the Association for Women in Mathematics are dedicated to promoting equality and encouraging women to have active careers in mathematical science. Similarly, the American Mathematical Society honors women mathematicians on their website. Other projects such as the Pdk poster project works to further scientific literacy and improve public awareness of science and technology. Further, this project is aimed at mentoring women in science and mathematics careers.