![Portrait of Maria Mitchell, the first professional woman hired by the federal government. She was hired to do astronomical observations for the U.S. Coast Survey, now part of NOAA.](../sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_700x400max/public/media/images/2017/mariamitchell-portrait-by-herminia-b.jpg%3Fitok=otwkWj-D)
Portrait of Maria Mitchell, the first professional woman hired by the federal government. She was hired to do astronomical observations for the U.S. Coast Survey, now part of NOAA.
![Portrait of Maria Mitchell, the first professional woman hired by the federal government. She was hired to do astronomical observations for the U.S. Coast Survey, now part of NOAA.](../sites/default/files/styles/full_width_image_700x400max/public/media/images/2017/mariamitchell-portrait-by-herminia-b.jpg%3Fitok=otwkWj-D)