Notable Women in Mathematics: A Biographical Dictionary

(Hardback)

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Description

This volume features substantive biographical essays on 59 women from around the world who have made significant contributions to mathematics from antiquity to the present. Designed for secondary school students and the general public, each profile describes major life events, obstacles faced and overcome, educational and career milestonesincluding a discussion of mathematical research in non-technical termsand interests outside of 2 promotics. Although the collection includes historical women, the emphasis is on contemporary mathematicians, many of whom have not been profiled in any previous work. The work also celebrates the contributions of minority women, including 10 African-American, Latina, and Asian mathematicians. Written by practicing mathematicians, teachers and researchers, these profiles give voice to the variety of pathways into mathematics that women have followed and the diversity of areas in which mathematics can work. Many profiles draw on interviews with the subject, and each includes a short list of suggested reading by and about the mathematician. Most mathematicians profiled stress the value, importance, and enjoyment of collaborative research, contradicting the prevailing notion that doing good mathematics requires isolation. This collection provides not only a substantial number of role models for girls interested in a career in mathematics, but also a unique depiction of a field that can offer a lifetime of challenge and enjoyment.

Reviews

[A] valuable book for and about women in mathematics at a level suitable for high school and early college students that celebrate the diversity present in the community of women mathematicians....The essays are a delight to read. Each gives a very human and encompassing picture of the whole woman--as mathematician, teacher, mother, wife, or partner....I would recommend Notable Women in Mathematics to high school teachers of mathematics, high school counselors, high school students interested in mathematics, and also to college professors and students of mathematics looking for a connection to the diverse community of women mathematicians. This book is a wonderful source of role models for young women who may be attracted to mathematics but who may at the same time be repelled by the sterotypical image of the lone, slightly mad, probably male, certainly eccentric mathematician.-The Mathematical Association of America
[A] valuable reference addition...for its emphasis on successful contemporary female mathematicians....[it] should be considered by secondary, post-secondary, and larger public libraries.-Reference & User Services Quarterly
[This] is a valuable resource for students and mathematics educators alike. It provides valuable insight into the variety of ways in which women--especially contemporary women in the United States--have created a niche for themselves in the world of mathematics.-Association for Women in Mathematics Newsletter
[T]his dictionary introduces us to the mathematical achievements of many less-famous women, and the biographies of modern lives are less remote from the experience of modern people. For public and academic libraries.-Library Journal
[T]his volume provides information on women not treated in other sources. High-school students in particular should like these readable, motivational profiles, which are filled with information about each subject's childhood, education, family life, and obstacles overcome, as well as professional achievements.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
At a time when female role models are desperately needed in mathematics and the sciences, this collection is a great mentoring tool for mathematics....The biographies are well written and interesting especially about the way the individuals became involved in mathematics, and inspirational in the way some had to overcome obstacles in their career paths. This resource should be in every school library and general reference collection.-ARBA
High school girls today still need encouragement from individuals, but they also have this excellent collection of biographies to inspire them to pursue mathematical careers.-Feminist Collection
Recommended for community college students.-Choice
The biographies themselves are non-technical and in addition to recounting the life story of the subject, stress a few themes, such as how collaboration and teamwork is important, how the subject became interested in mathematics, their non-math interests, and their feelings associated with events in their lives. Overall, the biographical dictionary succeeds in capturing a diverse cross-section of women mathematicians and conveying a sense of what their lives have been like as women in the field. Recommended for high school and undergraduate collections.-E-Streams
There never seems to be enough information about women in a school library, and this book certainly is going to help fill that gap. Librarians and math instructors will want to make sure that their top math students take a look at this book.-The Book Report
This highly readable account, designed for the general public, is to be recommended particularly for secondary school students.-Zentralblatt Math
This text could be used as supplementary reading for students and as a resource for educators who strive to include contemporary women mathematicians in their instruction.-Infotech
Written in an easy-to-read style by numerous contributors, each biography is about three to four pages long and includes a photograph or sketch, educational data, work information, and personal information....This collection is an interesting assortment of women's stories, past and present. It would be an excellent resource for any high school library. Teenagers could learn much about dedication and determination from these profiles.-The Mathematics Teacher
Recommended for community college students.Choice
"A valuable book for and about women in mathematics at a level suitable for high school and early college students that celebrate the diversity present in the community of women mathematicians....The essays are a delight to read. Each gives a very human and encompassing picture of the whole woman--as mathematician, teacher, mother, wife, or partner....I would recommend Notable Women in Mathematics to high school teachers of mathematics, high school counselors, high school students interested in mathematics, and also to college professors and students of mathematics looking for a connection to the diverse community of women mathematicians. This book is a wonderful source of role models for young women who may be attracted to mathematics but who may at the same time be repelled by the sterotypical image of the lone, slightly mad, probably male, certainly eccentric mathematician."-The Mathematical Association of America
"A valuable reference addition...for its emphasis on successful contemporary female mathematicians....it should be considered by secondary, post-secondary, and larger public libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
"This is a valuable resource for students and mathematics educators alike. It provides valuable insight into the variety of ways in which women--especially contemporary women in the United States--have created a niche for themselves in the world of mathematics."-Association for Women in Mathematics Newsletter
"This dictionary introduces us to the mathematical achievements of many less-famous women, and the biographies of modern lives are less remote from the experience of modern people. For public and academic libraries."-Library Journal
"This volume provides information on women not treated in other sources. High-school students in particular should like these readable, motivational profiles, which are filled with information about each subject's childhood, education, family life, and obstacles overcome, as well as professional achievements."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"[A] valuable reference addition...for its emphasis on successful contemporary female mathematicians....[it] should be considered by secondary, post-secondary, and larger public libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
"[This] is a valuable resource for students and mathematics educators alike. It provides valuable insight into the variety of ways in which women--especially contemporary women in the United States--have created a niche for themselves in the world of mathematics."-Association for Women in Mathematics Newsletter
"[T]his dictionary introduces us to the mathematical achievements of many less-famous women, and the biographies of modern lives are less remote from the experience of modern people. For public and academic libraries."-Library Journal
"[T]his volume provides information on women not treated in other sources. High-school students in particular should like these readable, motivational profiles, which are filled with information about each subject's childhood, education, family life, and obstacles overcome, as well as professional achievements."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"At a time when female role models are desperately needed in mathematics and the sciences, this collection is a great mentoring tool for mathematics....The biographies are well written and interesting especially about the way the individuals became involved in mathematics, and inspirational in the way some had to overcome obstacles in their career paths. This resource should be in every school library and general reference collection."-ARBA
"High school girls today still need encouragement from individuals, but they also have this excellent collection of biographies to inspire them to pursue mathematical careers."-Feminist Collection
"Recommended for community college students."-Choice
"The biographies themselves are non-technical and in addition to recounting the life story of the subject, stress a few themes, such as how collaboration and teamwork is important, how the subject became interested in mathematics, their non-math interests, and their feelings associated with events in their lives. Overall, the biographical dictionary succeeds in capturing a diverse cross-section of women mathematicians and conveying a sense of what their lives have been like as women in the field. Recommended for high school and undergraduate collections."-E-Streams
"There never seems to be enough information about women in a school library, and this book certainly is going to help fill that gap. Librarians and math instructors will want to make sure that their top math students take a look at this book."-The Book Report
"This highly readable account, designed for the general public, is to be recommended particularly for secondary school students."-Zentralblatt Math
"This text could be used as supplementary reading for students and as a resource for educators who strive to include contemporary women mathematicians in their instruction."-Infotech
"Written in an easy-to-read style by numerous contributors, each biography is about three to four pages long and includes a photograph or sketch, educational data, work information, and personal information....This collection is an interesting assortment of women's stories, past and present. It would be an excellent resource for any high school library. Teenagers could learn much about dedication and determination from the

Author Bio

CHARLENE MORROW is Co-Director of SummerMath, a six-week program for high school girls at Mount Holyoke College, past president and current co-Executive Director of Women and Mathematics Education, and Chair of the Comprehensive Mathematics Education for Every Child Committee of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She has presented and written extensively on effective learning approaches and educational environments for girls and women. TERI PERL is a consultant in education and technology with Teri Perl Associates. She is the author of two highly acclaimed books on women and mathematics, Math Equals (1978) and Women and Numbers (1993), and has also written a number of other educational books and materials for teachers. As co-founder of The Learning Company, Dr. Perl helped create several award-winning software packages in mathematics education and continues to be involved in teacher development at both the pre-service and in-service levels.