Shakuntla Devi

Math is often seen as a difficult subject to consume and fully understand. Many of us have experienced times where we become frustrated with mathematics and make it seem impossible. The wish to understand math were especially impossible to African-Americans in segregated America where not every child was given quality education. Katherine Johnson, an African-American NASA mathematician, experienced the inability to attend advanced math courses due to her race. It came with great effort to be where she is today in society. Her works were hidden and barely spoken about. However, her legacy stands with history.

A woman of great knowledge was known as Hypatia. Born between 351-370b A.D. in Alexandria, Eygpt. Hypatia is known best for being a female Mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. Hypatia is of the first female mathematicians to even be considered knowledgeable.

The worst thing that could ever occur in a person's life is the inability to be the person who they want to be and think about life the way they choose to think about life. I have experienced such situations in my own life, and, after reading about the female mathematician Sophie Germain, I found it inspirational--if not, comforting--to know that another woman in history experienced the same in her life. A woman of her own thought, Germain hid her mathematical studies from her parents under the threat of them kicking her out of the house. It is no argument that the legendary Marie-Sophie Germain has become such a revolutionary figure for not only women, but for the mathematical community as a whole.

An example of that is how she fought and “wrestled with [her] microchips” (Laing, 332), which is an example of personification. As we all know, a computer does not have human traits nor can it wrestle with the user like WWE; however, Laing is explaining how it gets more complicated the more you use a computer, and I agree with that. A computer is not smart; instead, it is the exact opposite. This is because without a user, a computer is just a sitting duck without the proper programming. It needs to be programmed to perform certain tasks or it needs a user to give it something to do in order to be useful, which is what software engineers do for a living. From taking computer science, I can tell you it is not an easy task, but rather, a hardworking one since we wrestle with the OS rather than the

Grace Hopper was an American Computer Scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral. She was also known as the Queen of Computing, Queen of Coding, Admiral Grace, and more. She created the first compiler, a program, that translated human readable language into computer executable machine language. She was an example of creativity, intelligence, and perseverance.

Being one of the first black women to receive a PhD in mathematics, she opened up the field to women, especially women of color, who were systematically drawn away from math because of the color of their skin or because of sexist exclusionary notions. Although her contributions to mathematics are seen more in a group effort, one cannot take away from the fact of her role as an inspiration to girls interested in the field of mathematics. With her widespread dedication to education and large investments of time for space programs, this woman was pivotal in challenging sexist and racist stereotypes that had held women like her back for years. She opened up positions for women of color in fields where they were never

According to document 4, Al-Khwarizmi, a Muslim mathematician wrote a textbook in the 800’s about algebra which was later adopted throughout Europe. Muslim mathematicians also adopted Arabic numerals from Indians and used them in place-value system. (Doc. 4) These mathematical advances also led to the creation of simple yet complicated structures. Also, after using their observations and their understanding of mathematics, Muslim scholars were able to make an advancement in mapmaking. They used astrolabe and armillary sphere to help study skies and make calculations for calendars and maps. (Doc.

Sakuntala was given a curse that her true love would not have any memory of her. This curse was placed upon her by Sage Durvasas, due to feeling slighted and insulted by how he was ignored as a guest. Shakuntala was distracted by her thoughts and love for her new husband, King Dusyanta. Seeing how she was distracted by her thoughts, the angry Durvasas stated, “Since you blindly ignore sage like me, the lover you worship with mindless devotion will not remember you, even when awakened like a drunkard who forgets a story he just composed!” (902). The sage, who realized he was a bit too harsh, gave her a way to break the curse. He told her friends that if she showed the king the ring of recollection, the curse would be lifted, but they instead decide to keep the curse a secret from her. Now Shakuntala, who is now a few months pregnant, is confused on why goes to the visit the king, the ring is gone. The ring had slipped from her hand as she was bathing in a grove and had no way of convincing the king they were married. She collapses after being humiliated by the king, weeping and praying for help, and is then carried off by a light shaped as a woman. The king later on finally remembers Shakuntala after he sees the ring, due to a fisherman who found the ring in the stomach of a fish. They finally reunite years later after the king descends from heaven and runs into his Bharata, his son.

A female African-American mathematician who contributed to mathematics was Janice E. Cook. Her birth and death date is unknown, however, she was born in New Orleans. She is one of seven children of Florence L. Cook and Henry Cook. Growing up, she admired her mother, who was an elementary teacher, describing her as an inspirational and heroic person in her life. After Janice completed her studies for the bachelor and masters degree she began a professional career in the corporate arena, however, she wasn’t satisfied. She later realized her true passion was in teaching mathematics as a teacher at the middle and high school levels. Once she determined her true educational passion in life, she continued her studies and gained her pre-doctoral

Her many professional activities included working in several capacities with the American Association for the Advancement in Science, the American Mathematical Society, Association for Women in Mathematics- Council Member 1980 to 1984, Mathematical Association of American. It has been a

Herbert Von Schulerfusselmussal IV is curious and imaginative. She is a math wiz and it a talented

Katherine Okikiolu is a smart woman who uses her beautiful knowledge and skills to aid students. She was born in United Kingdom, England in 1965. Her family are full of mathematicians that have also helped others throughout history. Her mother was a high school Math teacher while her father George Okikiolu was an inventor and mathematician. Her father has written many math papers the every other mathematician in history. While attending high school lather won a long jump championship in track in 1985.

Katherine Johnson is a mathematician who worked for NASA’s aeronautics program. She is currently 99 years old and was born in August 26, 1918. She was born and raised in white Sulphur Springs in West Virginia. She has 4 older siblings, and her mother, Joylette Coleman, was a school teacher while her dad, Joshua Coleman, was a handyman and farmer. She has a natural talent for math at a young age, but the schools in her county didn’t have schools for african americans past the 8th grade. Thus her parents took her to Institute, Virginia, at the time she was only 10 years old, to continue her education. She graduated high school at 14 then went into college at West Virginia State

The next woman to be discussed is Grace Chisholm Young. She was a mathematician from England and received her education at Girton College in Cambridge, England. She then continued her

Mathematics has always been described as the purest science and considered as one of the most important aspects in many countries around the world, especially developed countries. Theoretically, the most significant requirements for a life of a mathematician is the mathematical ability. Nevertheless, very few women get involve in this field, which creates a myth, and slowly develops into a stereotype in society, that women are naturally not good at math. However, many people would be surprised, that “the world’s greatest living mathematician for a time was a women” (Deakin 13). Hypatia of Alexandria was, indeed, a physically beautiful woman who used her talent and intelligence to defy the stereotypes against