Cathleen S. Morawetz, whose achievements in mathematics found widespread practical use, helped open her profession to other women and made her the first female mathematician to receive the National Medal of Science, died Aug. 8 at her home in New York. Her death was announced by New York University, where she spent nearly her entire career, and where she was a former director of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Dr. Morawetz rose to the top of her profession at a time when few women received the encouragement or opportunity to pursue mathematical studies or work. Dr. Morawetz also was noted for her work explaining the scattering of sound, light, water and gravitational waves off obstacles. In 2014, the Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani became the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal.

Source: Washington Post August 14, 2017 22:30 UTC