Born on May 16

An Italian mathematician and philosopher of the 18th century, Maria Gaetana Agnesi is celebrated for her treatise Instituzioni analitiche (1748), a pioneering pedagogical synthesis of differential and integral calculus. The first woman appointed as a professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna, she later devoted her life to charity and spirituality.

Japanese film director (1898–1956), a towering figure of world cinema. Celebrated for his long takes and his humanist gaze on the condition of women in Japan, he won the Silver Lion at Venice with *Ugetsu* (1953), also known as *Tales of the Pale and Silvery Moon After the Rain*.

Polish-born painter (1898-1980)

American poet and essayist (1929-2012), a major figure of literary feminism. Her work explores female identity, sexuality, and political commitment. She received the National Book Award in 1974 for “Diving into the Wreck”.

Betty Carter was an American jazz singer, famous for her art of vocal improvisation and scat. A major figure of bebop, she left her mark on vocal jazz in the second half of the 20th century with her rhythmic and melodic freedom.

Olga Korbut is a Soviet gymnast, born in 1955 in Belarus. Nicknamed “the Sparrow of Minsk,” she revolutionized artistic gymnastics at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, where she won three gold medals and captivated audiences worldwide with her daring and her freshness.