Life Story of Chien-Shiung Wu

"I wonder whether the tiny atoms and nuclei, or the mathematical symbols, or the DNA molecules have any preference for either masculine or feminine treatment."- Chien-Shiung Wu

Chien-shiung Wu, professor of physics at Columbia University, 1963. Smithsonian Institute Archives Image, Accessed April 16 2025

Chien-Shiung Wu (Jian-Xiong Wu/吴健雄) was a female Chinese American who came to the United States, seeking higher education in the field of physics. She contributed to the development of atomic bombs and earned many awards for her work. Her accomplishments defied the traditional views of women's roles and discrimination of Asian Americans, specifically the Chinese during World War II.