Sheila Widnall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheila Widnall
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| 18th United States Secretary of the Air Force | |
| In office August 6, 1993 – October 31, 1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Donald Rice |
| Succeeded by | F. Whitten Peters |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sheila Marie Evans
July 13, 1938 Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | William Widnall |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (SB, SM, ScD) |
Sheila Marie Evans Widnall, born on July 13, 1938, is a brilliant American scientist. She is an expert in aerospace research. She taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for many years.
From 1993 to 1997, Sheila Widnall made history. She became the United States Secretary of the Air Force. This made her the first woman ever to lead a branch of the United States Armed Forces. She was also the first woman to hold such a high position in the Department of Defense. In 2003, she was honored by being added to the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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Sheila Widnall's Early Life and Education
Sheila Marie Evans grew up in Tacoma, Washington. She went to Aquinas Academy for Girls and finished in 1956. She then went to the MIT.
At MIT, she studied Aeronautics, which is the science of flight. She earned three degrees there:
- A Bachelor of Science (SB) in 1960.
- A Master of Science (SM) in 1961.
- A Doctor of Science (ScD) in 1964.
Her studies focused on how air and water move around objects.
Becoming a Professor
After getting her PhD in 1964, Dr. Widnall joined the MIT School of Engineering. She was the first woman to become a professor there. She became a special professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1986.
She also took on important leadership roles at MIT. She was the Chair of the Faculty from 1979 to 1981. Later, she served as MIT's Associate Provost from 1992 to 1993. She retired from MIT in 2020 after an amazing 64 years.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Widnall has received many honors for her work. In 1988, she was chosen to be the President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This is a very important science organization.
She was also elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1988. In 2000, she joined the American Philosophical Society. These groups recognize top thinkers and leaders.
Leading the Air Force
On July 4, 1993, Bill Clinton, who was the President at the time, chose Dr. Widnall for a big job. He nominated her to be the Secretary of the Air Force. Before this, she had already helped the Air Force. She was on their advisory boards.
The Senate approved her nomination quickly, and she started her role on August 6, 1993. She was the first woman to lead any branch of the U.S. military. During her time, she managed many important challenges and changes.
She was also elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1985. She served as its vice-president from 1998 to 2005. In 2009, she won their Arthur M. Bueche Award.
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Investigation
Dr. Widnall was a member of the team that investigated the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. This board looked into why the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in 2003. Her expertise in aerospace was very helpful.
Sheila Widnall's Research Work
Dr. Widnall's research mainly focused on fluid mechanics. This is the study of how liquids and gases move. She studied how air moves around fast planes and helicopters. She also researched how air moves behind aircraft and how turbulence works.
One of her most famous discoveries was about something called the "elliptical instability mechanism." She worked on this with another scientist, Raymond Pierrehumbert.
Writings
Dr. Widnall has also shared her knowledge through writing. Here are some of her published works:
- "Science and the Atari Generation." Science (August 12, 1983): 607.
- "AAAS Presidential Lecture: Voices from the Pipeline." Science (September 30, 1988): 1740-1745.
Family Life
Sheila married William Soule Widnall in June 1960. Her husband was also an aerospace engineer. He helped develop the guidance system for the Apollo spacecraft. They have two grown children, William and Ann Marie.
See also
In Spanish: Sheila Widnall para niños
