First Woman

When Joanne Simpson (1923-2010) was awarded the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal in 1983, she was the first woman to win the award. The American Meteorological Society praised her outstanding studies of tropical convective clouds and her decades long research on hot towers and hurricanes, which had transformed scientists' understanding of the global circulation of heat. But her mother was unimpressed. "Everyone wonders why, if you are so good," she sniped, "that you have not yet been elected to the National Academy." That tension animates James Rodger Fleming's gripping biography, First Woman: Joanne Simpson and the Tropical Atmosphere. * Rodger Turner, Science History Institute, Philadelphia *
This biography serves as a celebratory portrait of a truly remarkable scientistwho was dedicated not only to her work but to her colleagues and profession too. * Alessandro Antonello, Metascience *
First Woman brings welcome attention to the little-explored subject of postwar tropical meteorology. * Sarah Carson, Isis *
...highly readable and informative biography... * Alessandro Antonello, Metascience *
extremely interesting, extremely informative, and extremely well written. * Claire L. Parkinson, Climate Scientist at NASA *
This biography is an exceptionally well done accomplishment on several levels. It combines the personal, and effectively intertwines in the text with her immense contributions to science and mentorship of colleagues. It accurately captures the Joanne I was so fortunate to know! * Roger Pielke Sr, CIRES, University of Colorado Boulder *
First Woman opened my eyes to how tortuous Joanne Simpson's career journey was and the true grit she demonstrated in accomplishing her goals. She was literally the only woman in the room as she confronted personal challenges, overcame professional barriers, and rose to the very top of her field to establish the fundamental importance of tropical clouds as the drivers of the global circulation. Reading this book was a profound experience. * Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director of the National Weather Service *
This is an empathetic and moving look at the life of a woman, who, in spite of enormous personal challenges, became a great scientist and mentor, and a trail blazer for future female scientists. Like Joanne herself, her life story offers some valuable lessons for navigating a scientific career while caring for oneself and helping colleagues along the way. * Margaret A. LeMone, Senior Scientist Emerita, National Center for Atmospheric Research *
As the first American woman to receive a Ph.D. in meteorology, Joanne Simpson had to navigate turbulence in her personal life as well as in the storms she studied to become one of the most accomplished and revered atmospheric scientists of the twentieth century. In First Woman, James Fleming has masterfully woven together a rich tapestry of Simpson's life and career that tells not only her story but also that of the emerging field of tropical meteorology she helped pioneer. * Sean Potter, author of Too Near for Dreams: The Story of Cleveland Abbe, America's First Weather Forecaster *
First Woman is an important book. Joanne Simpson's biography is not only the story of a woman that had to force her way through a male dominated field as well as fight her own demons, but also the story of the mentor to a generation of scientists. Fleming does her the justice that she deserves by weaving together this nuanced story of the most prominent tropical meteorologist of her generation. * Lourdes B. Avilés, Ph.D., Professor of Meteorology, Plymouth State University *