Maria Mitchell

[susanreads]

She is an astronomer, July:

Maria Mitchell

1818-1889

Maria Mitchell was the first female academic astronomer in the USA. She discovered that sunspots are whirling vertical cavities and not, as previously thought, clouds. She calculated Venus position tables for US Navy Observatory. She became the first female member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1865, she became the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College. After some time she learned that, despite her reputation and experience, her salary was less than that of many younger male professors. She insisted on a salary increase, and got it.

Mitchell co-funded the American Association for the Advancement of Women.

She discovered a comet too faint to be seen with the naked eye, the Mitchell comet.

On the calendar there's also an old portrait (photograph?) and a modern painting of Maria pointing out the comet.

More information at Wikipedia and many other places on the web, including the Maria Mitchell Association.