Sophia Levy facts for kids

Sophia Hazel Levy McDonald (born December 12, 1888 – died December 6, 1963) was an amazing American scientist. She was an astronomer, a math expert, and a teacher. She made history at the University of California, Berkeley. She was only the second woman to become a permanent math professor there. This was a big deal because it was very rare for women to hold such jobs back then. Sophia mostly studied the paths of comets and small space objects.

Sophia Levy McDonald: A Pioneer in Math and Astronomy

Early Life and Learning

Sophia Levy was born in Alameda, California, on December 12, 1888. Her parents were also born in California. They came from towns that grew during the California Gold Rush.

Sophia went to the University of California, Berkeley. She studied astronomy and graduated in 1910. She continued her studies there to get her advanced degree. To pay for her education, she worked many jobs. She was an assistant in astronomy and a university fellow. She also helped the dean of the graduate school. Plus, she was a secretary for the California State Board of Education.

Breaking Barriers in Academia

Sophia earned her Ph.D. in 1920. After that, she kept working as a secretary for a few years. She later managed the office for the University of California Press. She also worked again as an assistant to the dean.

In 1921 or 1923, she became a research assistant in astronomy. Soon after, she was hired as a math instructor. By 1924 or 1925, she became an assistant professor. She was only the second woman to get a permanent teaching position in math at Berkeley. The first was Pauline Sperry.

In the 1930s, the university wanted more research. Six math teachers, including Sophia, faced possible job loss. Another woman, Annie Biddle, lost her job. The university said it was because she was married. But some married men kept their jobs. Sophia was able to keep her job. This was partly because she was unmarried and supported her mother.

Her Contributions to Math

Sophia continued her work at Berkeley. In 1939, she helped start a local group for the Mathematical Association of America. This group was for Northern California. She became its second leader and later a governor. She also served as a general councilor for Pi Mu Epsilon, another math honor society.

In 1940, she became an associate professor. She was promoted to full professor in 1949. She retired in 1954. After retiring, she became a professor emerita. This means she kept her title as a respected former professor.

Family Life

In 1944, Sophia married John Hector McDonald. He was also a math professor at Berkeley. They waited to marry until after he retired. This was important because of the university's rules. If they had married earlier, Sophia might have lost her job. This happened to other women at different universities.

Her husband, John, passed away in 1953. Sophia died later, on December 6, 1963, in Oakland, California.