GREAT WOMAN OF MATHEMATICS: DAME DR. KATHLEEN TIMPSON OLLERENSHAW, 1912-2014. Dr. O grew up in Manchester, England. She became deaf at age 8. An inspiring headmistress at the Ladybank Montessori School nurtured her interest in mathematics. #deaf #deafpride #deafHOH #GWOM 1/7 
She credited her deafness with helping her find her passion so early, as mathematics is accessible to deaf and hearing alike. The headmistress gave her early training in rigor, insisting on "exactitude, formal proofs, and total accuracy at all times--with checks." She studied 2/7
maths at Somerville College in Oxford, completing her doctorate in 1945. She wrote five original mathematical papers before achieving her doctorate. She was married in 1939 to her childhood sweetheart, whose love she became certain of when he gave her his large, superior 3/7
slide rule, feeling she could make better use of it than he. Her husband was deployed during WW2, leaving her alone with their first child. After he returned safely from the war, the family moved to Manchester, where she worked as a lecturer in the mathematics department at 4/7
Manchester University and their second child was born. She faced doubts about her ability both because of her sex and her deafness, but she proved all detractors wrong. Among her mathematical achievements: she solved a problem of arithmetical magic squares, (with a proof in a 5/7
book she published in 1998) and also devised a mathematical formula to solve a Rubik's Cube efficiently. She published at least 26 papers. She was a tireless advocate for equal opportunities, publishing in advocacy of education for girls. She also served terms as Councillor 6/7
and Lord Mayor and advised the Thatcher government on education. Her remarkable life of dedication and resilience ended when she was 101 years old. Her husband and children preceded her in death. She left a trust fund to promote mathematical research at Manchester University. 7/7
