Women in Physics in Fermi's Time

Abstract

Enrico Fermi lived from 1901 to 1954, a period of great progress in physics and a period in which opportunities for women to study and work in institutions of higher learning increased significantly in Europe and North America. Though there are a few examples of women who made important contributions to physics in the 18th century such as Emilie du Chatelet and Laura Bassi, it was only in Fermi's time that the number began to increase significantly. It is remarkable that almost immediately after they gained entrance to laboratories and universities, among them appeared women of great creative ability who made lasting contributions to physics. This talk is mainly about some of these whose scientific lives are not as well known as their contributions deserve - Emmy Noether, Marietta Blau, Irene Joliot-Curie, Lise Meitner. Additionally, some outstanding women whose work played a role in Enrico Fermi's life in physics are noted - Ida Tacke Noddack, Tatiana Ehrenfest-Afanaseva, Leona Woods Marshall Libby, and Maria Goeppert Mayer.