at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), inducted in 1996 into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Widnall graduated in 1960 from MIT, where she was appointed professor of aeronautics and astronautics in 1986 and president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1988. Widnall’s research focused on fluid dynamics, and she was a member of the board of investigation into the space shuttle Columbia disaster. In 2009, Widnall received from the National Academy of Engineering the Arthur M. Bueche Award for her remarkable academic career in fluid dynamics and leadership in expanding the opportunities for women and minorities in engineering.