We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry. -Maria Mitchell
Educator and first female professional astronomer, Maria Mitchell, was born August 1, 1818, in Nantucket, Massachusetts. One of nine children born to a Quaker family, Mitchell’s father taught her how to use a telescope after recognizing her passion for exploring the stars and galaxy beyond. A librarian by day, she spent her nights on the rooftop of Pacific National Bank, where her father was employed, gazing at the night sky and studying the planets and stars in the cosmos. At the age of 28, Maria’s stargazing was rewarded when, on the night of October 1, 1847, she came across unknown, ‘blurry celestial object’; Mitchell had discovered a comet which was rightfully named “Miss Mitchell’s Comet.” Recognition for her discovery included receiving a gold medal, award by Frederick the VI, king of Denmark; as well as the first women to be named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mitchell would eventually become the first person named to the faculty at Vassar College and co-founder of the Association of the Advancement for Women- an organization promoting the “advancement of women in intelligence in and useful service.” Mitchell retired from Vassar and died a year later June 28, 1889. For her contributions to science and education, the Observatory (Maria Mitchell Observatory) and World War II Ship (S.S. Maria Mitchell) in Nantucket and a crater on the moon (Mitchell’s Crater) bear her name.
To learn more about Maria Mitchell visit:
https://www.mariamitchell.org/about/about-maria-mitchell
https://www.biography.com/people/maria-mitchell-9410353
https://www.space.com/34709-maria-mitchell-astronomer-feminist.html
https://www.accessible-archives.com/2014/11/association-advancement-women-1896/