Who's Who in Weather: Dr. Joanne Simpson
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"The critical mass of women is reached when you can talk science in the ladies room!"-Dr. Joanne Simpson, first woman in the world to receive a Ph.D. in meteorology
| In 1942, the Weather Bureau appealed to women in this announcement: |
| METEOROLOGY WORK
"Although there has been much prejudice against and few precedents for employing women generally for professional work in meteorology, perhaps a dozen women have obtained meteorological positions in the last few years, mostly outside the government service. However, since there is at present an acute shortage of both trained meteorologists and men for observers and clerical positions in the Weather Bureau and other government agencies, airlines, etc., women with the proper qualifications (same as for men) are now being welcomed in many places where they were not encouraged even last year. (In England women have already taken over many meteorological posts, we hear.) Therefore, women with training or experience in meteorology or its branches should apply immediately for any of the current or forthcoming U.S. Civil Service examinations in meteorology which are open to them... This will be an opportunity to join the vanguard of the many women who will very likely find careers in meteorology in the not too distant future and at the same time it will be a patriotic choice in case the war should require many women to replace or supplement men as meteorologists.". |
She was the first female meteorologist to receive her doctorate. The year was 1942 and World War II was underway. Like many women, Simpson found a deserted workforce left the door open for her to pursue her goals. So she began working toward her degree.
After the war ended and former soldiers flooded back into the market, she found it more difficult to continue, but in 1949 she was awarded her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.
Her accomplishments continued. In 1983, she received the American Meteorological Society’s highest honor, the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Award. She went on to become that same organization’s first female president. NASA has recognized her as well, bestowing its Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award upon her. She even has one of NASA’s CRAY T3E supercomputers named after her.
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