Margherita Hack
She was the first female director of the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste (Italy). She was part of many important scientific associations,as well as ESA and NASA committees. However, many Italian people of my age remember her not because of her scientific contributions, but because she was often on TV explaining the fascinating world of stars, galaxies, and planets with contagious passion. She was also very open about her political ideas, always advocating for civil rights.
Federica Beduini
ICFO Outreach
Margherita Hack was an Italian astrophysicist. She was one of the few living scientists that were known by the public while I was growing up and, in a way, she was a refreshing and unconventional figure at the time. She was not only an opinionated academic in a male dominated field of science, but she was also openly atheist, vegetarian and politically active. She never seemed to be afraid to tell her opinion, she looked so powerful in her authenticity. With her passion and enthusiasm, she managed to get many people curious about stars.
