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The Daughters of Hypatia celebrates great female mathematicians and their struggles to create groundbreaking mathematics. For centuries women were denied access to the study of mathematics, their intellectual powers denigrated, and their accomplishments downplayed. However, women, often self taught, made marvelous mathematical discoveries, even when obstacles were placed in their way. The earliest known female mathematician was Hypatia, a leading intellectual in ancient Alexandria who was murdered by a mob. Later mathematicians disguised their identities: Émilie du Châtelet dressed as a man in order to attend lectures, Sophie Germain published under a male pseudonym, and Emmy Noether gave lectures under the name of a male colleague. Their stories are sobering, yet inspiring.

The historical sections of the show are drawn together by dances exploring circular motifs, as the dancers recount intriguing stories from the women’s lives and perform patterns suggestive of their mathematical work. Live projection of video mosaics of dancers feature tessellation designs discovered by self-trained Marjorie Rice, includes guest choreography by math of fabric arts authority sarah-marie belcastro, and uses musical compositions by women’s world music choral group Zambra and “mathemusician” Vi Hart. Featured mathematicians include Hypatia, Maria Agnesi, Émilie du Châtelet, Sophie Germain, Sofia Kovalesky, Marjorie Rice, Emmy Noether, and sarah-marie belcastro.

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