Chien-Shiung Wu worked on the Manhattan Project, where she helped develop the process for separating uranium into uranium-235 and uranium-238 isotopes by gaseous diffusion. Courtesy/UNM-LA

The display at the UNM-LA Library celebrates 293 women who worked on the Manhattan Project. Photo by Nancy Coombs/UNM-LA

UNM-LA News:

The UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Library is hosting an exhibit Feb. 17 to March 31, which celebrates women who supported the Manhattan Project, as scientists, support workers, wives and mothers living in Los Alamos.

“The Women of Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project” exhibit features the names of 293 of these women, with photos and stories as available. Primarily, the women scientists who worked on the project are featured, but the exhibit also features wives and members of the Women’s Army Corp (WAC).

Three of the women who have received national recognition include Physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer, who worked with Edward Teller; Physicist Leona Woods Marshall Libby, who worked with Enrico Fermi, and Physicist Chien-Shiung Wu.

The UNM-LA Library will host a reception 1:15-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. Local author Mike Katko will give a brief presentation about his research on this topic, sharing stories of a few specific women.

The exhibit is open to the public through March 31 during normal library hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

UNM-Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous, and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs, and lifelong learning opportunities.

More information about UNM-LA is available at losalamos.unm.edu.