Maria Mitchell Essay

The person that I chose for Women in Astronomy is Maria Mitchell (August 1, 1818- June 28, 1889), who was a self- taught astronomer. She is best known for being the first professional astronomer in the United States. Mitchell discovered a new Comet and made remarkable achievements throughout her life. Maria Mitchell was born on August 1, 1818 on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket. Only a limited amount of female students were allowed to study astronomy and higher mathematics in the Quaker community where Maria Mitchel grew up. Although the Mitchell's weren't rich Maria's father, a dedicated amateur astronomer, familiarized her to mathematics and the night sky.
At the age of sixteen Maria she was a teacher of mathematics at Cyrus Pierce's school for young ladies. After that she opened a grammar school of her own. After all these job titles, at the age of eighteen she was offered a job as a librarian at

In 1865 Mitchell was selected, professor of astronomy at the newly opened Vassar College (one of the first colleges for women) in Poughkeepsie, New York, and director of the observatory there. In 1873 she helped found the Association for the Advancement of Women.
Since Maria was known to the public as the discoverer of the Comet, she was role model to many women in science. The people who thought women were not capable of studying mathematics and science were proven wrong because of Maria Mitchell. Maria then started focusing heavily on educating women, opposing slavery and advocating for women’s rights. Marias belief was that women wasted time on sewing rather than pursuing intellectual activities. Many women considered astronomy as a career because of Marias patience and self-control.
According to the National Women's History Museum, Mitchell once stated, "We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and