Johnny ZDec 5, 2022
Sheril Kirshenbaum

In 1925, Dr. Cecilia Payne completed her PhD thesis, described as “the most brilliant ever written in astronomy.” At a time when few #women entered academia, Payne discovered what the universe is made of. Her work began a revolution in astrophysics.

Dr. Payne-Gaposchkin became the 1st female professor & 1st female department chair at Harvard. Given most of us remember names like Darwin & Newton, we should also celebrate Payne. #science #space

Read more at https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201501/physicshistory.cfm #HistoryRemix

This Month in Physics History

January 1, 1925: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin and the Day the Universe Changed

Dec 4, 2022 at 9:38pmMetatext
Show threadRadicalWoman111Dec 4, 2022
@Sheril
We've evolved because of women.
Show threadDoug BostromDec 4, 2022

@Sheril

Daylight on previously invisible big footprints.

There are a lot of such trails to see, if we bother to look.

Thank you.

Show threadXiuwenDec 4, 2022

@Sheril Thanks! Inspiring for all.

There are 2 roads in Silicon Valley named Payne: "Payne Ave, San Jose, CA" and "Payne Drive, Los Altos, CA". Any chance that Dr. Payne is being remembered by either or both?

Show threadcarthikDec 5, 2022
@__icoder__ @Sheril George C Payne is probably who the avenue in San Jose is named after. Same as the elementary school.
Show threadXiuwenDec 13, 2022
@carthik @Sheril Thanks! It's good to know although a pity
Show threadMichael Katzmann🐈Dec 4, 2022
@Sheril .... and Vera Rubin!
Show threadMichael Katzmann🐈Dec 4, 2022
@Sheril
Also, consider all that talent that was wasted because of unjust, irrational discrimination.
Ruby Payne-Scott is just one more example...
https://csiropedia.csiro.au/payne-scott-ruby/
Ruby Payne-Scott [1912-1981] - CSIROpedia

Ruby Payne-Scott was an Australian pioneer in radio physics and radio astronomy, and is believed to have been the first female radio astronomer.

CSIROpedia
Show threadPaul GordonDec 4, 2022
@Sheril I love this. I’ve written a musical about her coming soon: STELLAR ATMOSPHERES.
Show threadSheril KirshenbaumDec 5, 2022
@PaulGordon that’s cool! Is there video online?
Show threadPaul GordonDec 5, 2022
@Sheril Hi Sheril! Here's a video of the opening song. https://vimeo.com/754351918/bae8ca0d84
THE LUMINOUS UNKNOWN 9.27.22.mov

Vimeo
Show threadChristopher SmallDec 5, 2022

@Sheril

Thanks for posting this article. Wonderful to read.

Show threadChai NguyenDec 5, 2022

@Sheril
Im in my 50s. When i was in school, i wanted to study sharks. I was told no women made contributions to science (cept Currie, who they could not ignore, though they tried!). And it was because THERE WERE NO WOMEN IN SCIENCE, and not because “women were there, but we dont learn about them!”

I hope no other 10 year old decides to go into a field she doesnt want, because aomone says she cant do what she really wants to do.

Show threadSheril KirshenbaumDec 5, 2022

@Kipruss3 I'm sorry that was the message you received as a child. I sense we're doing much better these days at keeping girls and young women enthusiastic about pursuing science.

Academia doesn't usually do enough to keep women in science after a PhD and there's a big drop off after that. I've been fortunate in my career - although I have some real interesting personal stories. It's a trend I've certainly observed over and over among friends and colleagues.

Show threadSophieDec 5, 2022
@Kipruss3 @Sheril I’m even older, and when I was in my Foundation Year at #artschool , my teachers could only think of two well-known women artists. Maybe search engines and #Wkipedia have helped, among other things, such as 50 more years of #womensstruggle
Show threadChai NguyenDec 5, 2022

@sophie_a2 @Sheril

Especially as, at leastmin the US, you have to be white or european heratiage to count. African, asian, or mexican artists were not “real”. Ehem…

Show threadDogsandmoreDec 5, 2022
@Kipruss3 @Sheril I’m in my 50’s as well. I loved physics in high school. I wanted to be an engineer. I was told girls don’t do that; I’m a veterinarian now and love it but even I was told that women took space from farm boys who would work more 🤦‍♀️
Show threadDaisy Doo & TuxieGirl BettyDec 7, 2022
@dogsandmore @Kipruss3 @Sheril My mom was told she couldn't play in the blocks area in kindergarten.
Show threadChai NguyenDec 7, 2022

@666k9s @dogsandmore @Sheril could t play with blocks??.

Damn. We harm women,

Show threadgdtrfbDec 5, 2022
@Sheril Woman are smarter.
Show threadSudhirDec 5, 2022
@Sheril. Brilliant.👍😊👏. Contribution of our women in any field must be encouraged and recognised. A society where women are not treated equal to men can't progress!👍❤️🙏
Show threadThe Well-read NaturalistDec 5, 2022
@Sheril I am embarrassed to say that I was unaware of her life and legacy until I received a copy of Donovan Moore’s “What Stars Are Made Of; The Life of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin” from Harvard University Press for review. What I learned from the book and my background research in preparation for writing the review brought about a much needed correction of my ignorance about her. https://www.wellreadnaturalist.com/2020/04/reaching-the-stars/ #bookstodon #history #astronomy
Reaching the Stars

When I think about all the people I know presently involved in science - either actively working in one of the many disciplines from biology to astronomy, studying to one day do so, or working in an occupation supporting the dissemination of discoveries therein or for the greater widespread understa

The Well-read Naturalist
Show threadCAMILLE CLARE MD MPH CPE FACOGDec 5, 2022
@Sheril to being the first woman chair #SUNYDownstate Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Show thread(((JaneinNJ)))Dec 5, 2022
@Sheril When we are in charge, in any sphere, the world is in better shape.
Show thread(The) BrennanDec 5, 2022
@Sheril And this from 1937. https://www.nytimes.com/1937/10/31/archives/would-liberate-women-scholars-dr-gaposohkin-sees-barrier-of.html
WOULD 'LIBERATE' WOMEN SCHOLARS; Dr. Gaposohkin Sees 'Barrier of Prejudice' Halting Them in Scientific Progress LEARNED GROUPS SCORED Astronomer Chargers Honorary Societies Are Taking Lead in Sex Discrimination Points to Mme. Curie's Career Harvard University Criticized Former Fellows Presented

S on women scholars, AAUW Conn State Fed conf

Show threadJust EllaDec 5, 2022
@Sheril 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Show threadClaudius (legacy account)Dec 5, 2022
@stefanvoigt
Show threadKeith McGrathDec 5, 2022
@Sheril One wonders how much further we would have evolved if the contributions of women were more widely recognised? (socially and scientifically)
Show threadChris Lee (he/him)Dec 5, 2022
@Sheril while i applaud her recognition i do not think this to be at the same level as Darwin or Newton’s contribution to science.
Show threadyasha  Dec 5, 2022
@Sheril To say she is not a science star, nor is she recognized well enough despite being so bright ... it Paynes me!
Show threadSophieDec 5, 2022
@Sheril #womenscientists
Show threadStatmonkey 🙊Dec 5, 2022
@Sheril Love your show and this post. This is why I have social media. TIL
Show threadpeterDec 7, 2022
@Sheril @amber My great great great aunt was an astronomy writer and an early campaigner for women's inclusion in higher education. She was a New Zealand colonist and not unproblematic or anything, but it's an interesting bit of my family history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Aldis_(science_writer)
Mary Aldis (science writer) - Wikipedia