International Women in Mathematics Day

International Women in Mathematics Day is celebrated annually on May 12 to honor the achievements and contributions of women in mathematics. This date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Maryam Mirzakhani,[1][2][3] the first and only woman to receive the prestigious Fields Medal, often regarded as the Nobel Prize of mathematics.[4] Mirzakhani, an Iranian mathematician and Stanford University professor, was renowned for her groundbreaking work in geometry and dynamical systems. She died in 2017 at the age of 40, and her legacy continues to inspire mathematicians worldwide.[5]

The initiative to establish May 12 as International Women in Mathematics Day was spearheaded by the Women's Committee of the Iranian Mathematical Society and supported by organizations such as the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA), European Women in Mathematics, and the Association for Women in Mathematics. These groups aim to promote gender equality in mathematics and encourage the participation of women and girls in the field.

Celebrations on this day include lectures, workshops, and events highlighting the work of women mathematicians and addressing the challenges they face. Institutions worldwide participate in these activities to foster a more inclusive mathematical community.[6]

References

  1. ^ Solutions, MUMS Posting (2024-05-11). "Happy International Women in Maths Day!". MelbUni Maths&Stats. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  2. ^ "Women in Mathematics Day 2022". Western Sydney University. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  3. ^ "International Women in Mathematics Day • Fiocruz". Welcome! • Fiocruz. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  4. ^ "Stanford's Maryam Mirzakhani wins Fields Medal". Stanford Report. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  5. ^ Roberts, Siobhan (2017-07-17). "Maryam Mirzakhani's Pioneering Mathematical Legacy". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  6. ^ "International Women in Mathematics Day 2024, Melboure, Australia". May12. 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
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