Gertrude F. Rempfer

Gertrude F. Rempfer (1912-2011) was a physics professor at Portland State University who was known for her innovations in electron microscopy and, together with her husband, mathematician Robert Romper, for civil rights activism. Rempfer's contributions in electron microscopy included innovations in instrumentation, improved optics, and expanded applications of electron microscopy to other scientific disciplines. She received the Howard Vollum Award for her innovations, as well as other scientific awards.

Quotes

• A few words to the young women: When you combine a career with raising a family, the family responsibilities generally rest more heavily on you than on your husband, and you may need to proceed more slowly with your career than you would without a family. This may have its good side in that you can save up some interesting and important things to do after your children have left the nest. However, the responsibilities can often be so heavy as to frustrate a woman's career, and a lack of suitable child-care facilities is a major roadblock. To me it is no mystery why there are not more women in leadership positions in science. It has been mentioned that I am the first woman to receive the Howard Vollum Award, and of course I am very proud to be chosen. But when it is no longer considered unusual for a woman to be so honored or to achieve a position of leadership in public life, then we women will know that we have made it.
  • "At Opening Convocation: Words Worth Repeating". rdc.reed.edu. Reed College. Retrieved 24 January 2025.

External links

• Simple English Wikipedia article about Gertrude F. Rempfer