Phyllis J. Fleming, who died last month at the age of 84, was a pioneering physics professor. She received her doctorate in 1955, when such degrees in any field, much less the hard sciences, were rare for women. She spent 50 years of her life teaching at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. While I did not have the pleasure of having a class with her, I did run into her from time to time when I was taking physics classes as part of my astronomy degree. One of her more famous students, however, is another astronomy alumna, Pamela Melroy, Col. USAF (Retired), who commanded a Space Shuttle mission in 2007.
Why am I mentioning her here, aside from my vague connection through the college? Fleming is survived by her partner Linda B. Miller, which means she is not only a hero for women in science, but a lesbian foremother as well.
The Boston Globe has a long obituary about her extraordinary teaching abilities, the many programs she instituted to expand opportunities for students and alumnae, and the many students and faculty whom she inspired. The College is holding a memorial service for her in September; if you are an alumna, contact the College for details. (Or drop me an e-mail, and I’ll forward the message I just received about it.)
My condolences to Miller and to the rest of Fleming’s family, friends, and students.
(Photo: Wellesley College Science Center, where Fleming served as director.)
She also graduated from UW-Madison. Cool.