I should tell you that I don’t routinely read the obits. Oh, sure, I have friends who grab my paper to reach the Metro Section and flip to the end. where the obits reside. I always tell them I’ll let them know if they are wirtten up there- there’s no need to study those pages.
But, this past weekend (when this was written), the page before the obits (where they actually write about important people) managed to post a name that grabbed my attention, while I was enjoying my pre-Phillies game meal at McFaddens. (They maintain a wonderful staff and DJ there- which amplifies my experience at Citizens Bank Park. Especially this year, when the Phillies play is so terrible. As a matter of fact, that afternoon, one Philly proved he learned nothing in Little League. He ran from second base to third- twice- while there still was a runner on that base.)
The name that caught my eye was Cathleen Morawetz. First of all, I should tell you, I didn’t know her. But, that name- and that spelling- resonated. As I suspected, this was the spouse of Dr. Herbert Morawetz. My physical chemistry professor from Brooklyn Poly.
Dr. Herbert Morawetz was a world famous polymer chemist, too. And, since I was to become a chemical engineer, he could not fathom why I had no desire to learn squat about polymers. After all (consider this was the 1960s), chemical engineers found their careers in the petrochemical industry- period.
Except this ChemE had no such intention. I was going to work in artificial internal organs and other biotechnology. So, Dr. M tried the tack that I would need polymers to make these organs. I disagreed that would be what I would be doing- but I did go along with his polymer chemistry class.
And, while I didn’t really like the subject matter, I did recognize that he was a heck of a professor. The American Chemical Society (in a 1985 tribute to Dr. M. in Macromolecules cited his love of knowledge and truth- especially when coupled with his insight that made him such an outstanding professor.
I also took a few classes at NYU- in the mathematics and English departments. Because I started out in the advanced mathematics curriculum at Poly- which meant we took some classes at the Courant Institute. To be honest, I don’t recall taking a class from Cathleen Morawetz. And, I am pretty certain I would have recognized the name 2 or 3 years later when I met Herbert Morawetz. (However, she did head the Institute long after I was gone- from 1984 to 1988.)
Amazingly, Dr. Herbert Morawetz is still alive- and over 100 years old. But, his wife, Cathleen, only reached 94 years of age. The couple met in Toronto (after Herbert escaped from the Nazis) while studying at the University of Toronto.
Cathleen continued her education at MIT (where she obtained her masters) and NYU (for her earned doctorate; all in mathematics)- and then back to MIT for a post doc. Her specialty was imploding shock waves- and fluid dynamics (in water) and waves in sound, light, and vibrating solids.
Cathleen proved that supersonic flow is vastly different from the phenomena below the speed of sound- so when one crosses the sound barrier (called transonic flight), any perturbation (like an imperfection in the shape or the tilt of the wing) effects the development of shock waves. And, those waves retard the speed of the aircraft. Cathleen proved that while, in theory, one could eliminate the shock wave from influencing the aircraft, it was impossible in practical situations. (Look at that- engineering, not pure mathematics!)
Proving that wave energy scatters (instead of lingering near the object) led her to determine the maximum amount of wave energy that exists near an object. That determination is called the Morawetz Inequality.
Dr. Cathleen Morawetz was also a true pioneer- a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of AAAS (American Academy of Arts and Sciences) and she was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1998- the first female mathematician to earn that honor.
So, now, we need more women to take her place!
Thanks for highlighting such a true pioneer – I agree that we need more women to take her place. RIP. Amazing that Dr is alive at over 100 – inspiring!
Glad you liked learning about Catherine, too! the more we discuss and disseminate their impact on society, the more impetus there is for others to join the fray.
Yes, we need more women in the science, engineering, and mathematics fields.We need to encourage girls to enjoy these areas with hands on activities and by letting them know that they can be girls and engineers at the same time! In the past, engineering was not seen as a girly activity.
I’m with you, Alice. It’s why I volunteer at the local high schools (and a few lower level ones) to work with kids and their science fair projects- or year long tech programs.
She sounds like she was an amazing woman, and you were certainly fortunate to study under her husband.
Yes, Marcia. While i never had the opportunity (or the ability to recall otherwise) of studying under Ms. Doctor Morawetz, we need more folks like her to help advance the numbers of women who enter (and succeed) at STEM. Because examples matter.