The Woman of the Stars: Margherita Hack was born in Florence in 1922 to open-minded parents and graduated in 1945 with a thesis on a Cepheid star, completed at the Arcetri Observatory in Florence. She then pursued a career in science, becoming an internationally recognized figure and even participating in projects with NASA and the ESA. She was the first woman to direct the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste from 1964 to 1987, transforming it into a renowned international center.
She was also dedicated to scientific outreach, publishing numerous books and founding magazines such as L’Astronomia. She received many honors, including the Giuseppe Piazzi Medal and the Cortina Ulisse International Prize.
She passed away in Trieste in 2013, leaving behind the legacy of a passionate scientist, astrophysicist, and science communicator, as well as a courageous woman and tireless activist who consistently championed freedom of research and respect for others’ ideas. To this day, her figure inspires generations of students and researchers, promoting the role of women in STEM fields.
