About

Born in China in 1912, Wu moved to the United States to pursue her education in physics. She earned her Ph. D. from the University of California, Berkeley and began her research career at Columbia University. Wu is best known for her work on beta decay, which led to the discovery of the violation of the law of parity conservation in weak interactions. This groundbreaking research overturned a long-held assumption in physics and earned Wu the nickname "the First Lady of Physics. " Her experiments not only provided empirical evidence for the violation of parity but also paved the way for a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces in nature. In addition to her pioneering research, Wu faced substantial challenges as a female physicist in a male-dominated field. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and became a trailblazer for women in science. Wu worked tirelessly to promote gender equity in the field and advocated for the inclusion of women in scientific collaborations and organizations. Throughout her career, Wu received numerous accolades for her contributions to science, including the National Medal of Science, which she was the first female recipient of, and the Wolf Prize in Physics. Chien-Shiung Wu's legacy lives on as one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century and a symbol of empowerment for women in science.