Mitchell was like an 19th Century Hypatia. A gifted astronomer, she discovered a comet, directed the Vassar College Observatory, and was the first female member of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences. She vehemently opposed oppression of all forms, and was a major member of both the abolitionist and suffragette movements. When she found out her colleagues at Vassar had higher salaries because they were men, she vocally protested. Too afraid to lose her, they granted her equal pay.
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