From antiquity to the present day, women have contributed to astronomy research and education. Generally their level of participation reflected societal views on women and their educational opportunities. Over the centuries, however, men wrote astronomy books specifically for women, and individual women learned from a sympathetic father or brother. In ancient Egypt, the female astronomer Hypatia of Alexandria rose to fame while men debated the idea of educational equality. Disagreements over the female intellect still continue in the twenty-first century.

This exhibit highlights only a few of the women who influenced astronomy as schoolteachers, popular authors, university professors, and researchers. Through their accomplishments, each has made success more feasible for future generations of women.

This wood engraving comes from Margarita Philosophica, a book about geometry. Notice that the woman is holding a quadrant and dividers, instruments used in mathematics and astronomy. The Adler has many instruments like these in our museum's collection.

Benjamin Martin was a popular astronomy lecturer and author. From 1755 to 1763, Martin devoted his time to the General Magazine. The main section of this monthly project was a fictional story called "The Young Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy." In each issue, college student Cleonicus instructed his sister Euphrosine on astronomy, globes, optics and telescopes, and many other subjects. In the mid-eighteenth century, women like Euphrosine could not attend universities. She was grateful for her brother's lessons, commenting on "how happy will be the age when the ladies may modestly pretend to knowledge." This illustration shows Cleonicus and Euphrosine in an evening session in their library.

Johannes Hevelius' Machinae coelestis describes his famous observatory and scientific instruments. Hevelius married his second wife, Elisabetha Koopman Hevelius (1647–1693), in 1663. Elisabetha had been interested in astronomy since her youth. Their marriage allowed her to pursue this interest, and she assisted her husband in the observatory. After Johannes' death, Elisabetha edited and published their joint work, an extensive catalogue of stars and their positions. In the image shown, Johannes and Elisabetha Hevelius are observing the stars using an elaborate sextant.

Maude Bennot (1892–1982) directed the Adler Planetarium from 1937 to 1945, making her the first female head of a planetarium in the United States and possibly the world. Bennot earned a master's degree in astronomy from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she worked with Philip Fox at the Dearborn Observatory.

When Fox became the first Director of the Adler in 1930, Bennot joined him as Assistant Director. Fox and Bennot planned the new planetarium's programs to imitate introductory astronomy courses. When Fox left the Adler in 1937, Bennot was named "Acting" Director. During her years in charge, she continued to run educational planetarium programs for the public, and taught celestial navigation to World War II Naval midshipmen. She was also active in the Chicago Astronomical Society and a darling of the local press.

The Chicago Park District, which oversaw the Adler in the early years, abruptly fired Bennot in 1945. They even changed the locks on the building. Philip Fox had recently died, and he had been her advocate at the Park District. During this time period, men returning from World War II often replaced women who had successfully filled leadership roles in their absence.

These photographs and newspaper articles illustrate Bennot's dedication to astronomy education and her popularity with the public.