Amalie Emmy Noether 23 March 1882 – 14 April 1935 was a German mathematician known for her landmark contributions to abstract algebra and theoretical physics.

Those who have studied her theorem believe it to be the backbone of modern physics.

She struggled with getting recognition because she was female and Jewish. She was given an "unofficial associate professorship" only to lose it because she was Jewish at the rise of Nazi power and as such, she fled to the US to work. She published papers under male names in order to get them out.

She was described by Pavel Alexandrov, Albert Einstein, Jean Dieudonné, Hermann Weyl, and Norbert Wiener as the most important woman in the history of mathematics.

As one of the leading mathematicians of her time, she developed the theories of rings, fields, and algebras. In physics, Noether's theorem explains the connection between symmetry and conservation laws. I find myself wondering for approximately the one millionth time if we had spent less time on prejudice, how much further along would the human race be at this point in history? Read more here: Emmy Noether

Sources:

NY Times

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Smithsonian Magazine