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Know some amazing women? Join Women's Stories as we highlight Maria Mitchell, an amazing
scientist and educator. Maria Mitchell was born in 1818 on Nantucket
Island, 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. From this isolated settlement, she became
one of the most famous people in the western world for a time.
Maria was born a Quaker on the island. In this whaling community men were often gone
for months or years and women assumed many non-traditional responsibilities and roles
in the society. Maria and her father observed the planets
and stars from the roof of their house. While she worked as the town's librarian, Maria
taught herself higher math, calculated the position of Venus, and "swept" the skies with
her telescope for decades looking for comets. Maria Mitchell became a celebrity when she
discovered a "telescopic" comet in 1847. King Frederick of Denmark awarded her a prize and
she became the first woman professional astronomer. Then in 1848, she became the first woman member
of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and in 1850 of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science. She promoted scientific observation, self-reliance, and healthy skepticism.
In 1865 she became Vassar College's first professor, and taught astronomy there for
23 years. She lived in the observatory, and used her home as a gathering place for the
discussion of politics and women's issues. When she learned that despite her reputation
and experience she was paid less than younger male professors, she fought for and got a
salary increase. In 1873, she co-founded the American Association for Advancement of Women.
After a lifetime of commitment to advancing science and advancing women, Maria Mitchell
died in 1889 honored by scientists, educators and students and continuing to inspire.
This video is a Women's Stories production. Women's Stories is an open, collaborative
effort of women around the world to inspire, encourage, and celebrate women's lives.