22/01/2024
Today's A Mighty Girl Community Pick is in honor of Raye Montague's birthday: "The Girl With A Mind For Math: The Story of Raye Montague" by Julia Finley Mosca. As a 7-year-old during WWII, Raye Montague toured a captured German submarine and immediately set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know that sexism and racism would challenge her dream every step of the way – even at college where she ended up studying business because the engineering department would not accept black students. Raye ended up working at the US Navy as a typist, studying engineering at night. One day, when all the engineers were sick with the flu, she astonished everyone by completing all of their work. She went on to become the first person to design a ship on a computer and the Navy's first female ship designer -- and today the girl who refused to give up on her dream is celebrated as a pioneer who changed ship design forever.
In this inspiring addition to the Amazing Scientists series, Mosca provides a fascinating look at Montague's pioneering career. Illustrator Daniel Rieley's clever drawings emphasize Montague's determination to break through the arbitrary obstacles that stood in her way. Throughout, the book conveys an encouraging message of the power of persistence and pursuing what you love. Highly recommended for ages 5 to 9.
"The Girl With A Mind For Math" is available at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-girl-with-a-mind-for-math
For more books in this empowering series, check out "The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin" (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-girl-who-thought-in-pictures), "The Doctor With An Eye For Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath" (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-doctor-with-an-eye-for-eyes), and "The Astronaut With A Song For The Stars" (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-astronaut-with-a-song-for-the-stars)
To introduce children to more trailblazing women mathematicians, visit our blog post "12 Picture Books About Mighty Girls Who Love Math," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=20118
And, for our favorite math toys and games to encourage girls' love of math at every age, check out our blog post "Add It Up! Top 35 Math Toys for Mighty Girls" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=12180