Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (1900-1979) was a British-born American astronomer and astrophysicist known for her groundbreaking work on stellar spectra and the composition of the Sun. In her 1925 doctoral thesis, she proposed that stars were primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, a conclusion that initially contradicted prevailing scientific beliefs. Despite initial rejection, independent observations eventually proved her right. Payne-Gaposchkin’s work on variable stars was foundational to modern astrophysics. She held various positions at Harvard University and published several books throughout her career. She was recognized with numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field. Payne-Gaposchkin’s career opened doors for women in astronomy and she served as an inspiration to many.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecilia_Payne-Gaposchkin