Meela Kopp
Mr. Morris
Adv. Algebra 2 R3
12 November 2017
Math Like Me Hu Hesheng is a famous female mathematician from China. She was born on June 20, 1928, in Shanghai, China. Her family was very artistic. Both her grandfather and father were painters. Later, she would, like them, be interested in painting, along with photography and singing. When she was a child, the Japanese army invaded where she lived. Her family eventually escaped and had to live in foreign concessions. These concessions were later taken over by the Japanese when they declared war on her home country. During the war, Hu’s family had to be careful and so they covered their windows and stayed inside. As a result, Hu was always studying.
Following high school, she …show more content…
To escape the persecution, Hu went to Moscow to be with Gu, who was there studying at Moscow University to get his doctorate. After this was completed, they both returned home to China. They returned at a bad time as the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) had begun. Both Hu and Gu were persecuted. Despite being qualified mathematicians, Gu had to do janitorial jobs and Hu had to stay at home. Once this was over in 1976, they both returned to their research. In 1991, she was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Science and was the first female to do so. She was also the former vice president of the Chinese Mathematical Society and president of the Shanghai Mathematical Society. In 2002, Hu gave the Noether Lecture during the International Congress of …show more content…
Not only by her contributions to mathematics but by her impact on society. She proved that women can succeed in mathematics. In a society, where it is not common for women to strive in mathematics, it is inspiring to see that one can. In 2016, only 15% of tenure-track positions in mathematics were held by women. This stat might drive women away, but seeing this it becomes imperative for women to participate in mathematics. Knowing Hu Hesheng’s story has inspired me to possibly consider a career in mathematics and will motivate others too when
Mr. Morris
Adv. Algebra 2 R3
12 November 2017
Math Like Me Hu Hesheng is a famous female mathematician from China. She was born on June 20, 1928, in Shanghai, China. Her family was very artistic. Both her grandfather and father were painters. Later, she would, like them, be interested in painting, along with photography and singing. When she was a child, the Japanese army invaded where she lived. Her family eventually escaped and had to live in foreign concessions. These concessions were later taken over by the Japanese when they declared war on her home country. During the war, Hu’s family had to be careful and so they covered their windows and stayed inside. As a result, Hu was always studying.
Following high school, she …show more content…
To escape the persecution, Hu went to Moscow to be with Gu, who was there studying at Moscow University to get his doctorate. After this was completed, they both returned home to China. They returned at a bad time as the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) had begun. Both Hu and Gu were persecuted. Despite being qualified mathematicians, Gu had to do janitorial jobs and Hu had to stay at home. Once this was over in 1976, they both returned to their research. In 1991, she was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Science and was the first female to do so. She was also the former vice president of the Chinese Mathematical Society and president of the Shanghai Mathematical Society. In 2002, Hu gave the Noether Lecture during the International Congress of …show more content…
Not only by her contributions to mathematics but by her impact on society. She proved that women can succeed in mathematics. In a society, where it is not common for women to strive in mathematics, it is inspiring to see that one can. In 2016, only 15% of tenure-track positions in mathematics were held by women. This stat might drive women away, but seeing this it becomes imperative for women to participate in mathematics. Knowing Hu Hesheng’s story has inspired me to possibly consider a career in mathematics and will motivate others too when