Frieda Axelrod Stahl (May 27, 1922 – October 1, 2021) was an American historian of physics and physics educator known for her work on the language of physics and for her advocacy of

women in science The presence of women in science spans the earliest times of the history of science wherein they have made substantial contributions. Historians with an interest in gender and science have researched the scientific endeavors and accomplishments ...

. She was a

professor emerita ''Emeritus/Emerita'' () is an honorary title granted to someone who retirement, retires from a position of distinction, most commonly an academic faculty position, but is allowed to continue using the previous title, as in "professor emeritus". ...

California State University, Los Angeles California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is a public research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system. Cal State LA offers 142 bachelor's degree programs, 122 m ...

Life

Stahl was born on May 27, 1922. After earning a master's degree from

Hofstra University Hofstra University is a Private university, private research university in Hempstead, New York, United States. It originated in 1935 as an extension of New York University and became an independent college in 1939. Comprising ten schools, includ ...

in 1957, with the thesis ''Exciton states in semiconductors'', she became a faculty member at

in 1958, the first woman physicist at the university. She completed a doctorate at the

Claremont Graduate School The Claremont Graduate University (CGU) is a private, all-graduate research university in Claremont, California, United States. Founded in 1925, CGU is a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium which includes five undergraduate and two grad ...

with the 1969 dissertation ''Teaching Physics for Scientific Literacy''. She served as associate dean of academic planning for undergraduate studies for over five years, from 1970 to 1975, before returning to physics teaching and research. After retiring as

in 1992, she remained active in research, and in 2002–2003 chaired the Committee on History and Philosophy of Physics of the

American Association of Physics Teachers The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) was founded in 1930 for the purpose of "dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching." There are more than 10,000 members in over 30 countries. AAPT publications includ ...

. She died on October 1, 2021.

Recognition

Stahl was a 1999 honoree in the California State University, Los Angeles Distinguished Women Awards. She was named a

Fellow of the American Physical Society The American Physical Society honors members with the designation ''Fellow'' for having made significant accomplishments to the field of physics. The following lists are divided chronologically by the year of designation. * List of fellows of the ...

(APS) in 2003, after a nomination from the APS Forum on the History and Philosophy of Physics, "for extensive work with UCLA's archive and Web site concerning women in physics, energetic efforts to integrate history of physics into physics education, and investigations into the relationship between physics and language". She was also a Fellow of the American Association of Physics Teachers, which in 2006 awarded her its Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service.

Selected publications

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stahl, Frieda 1922 births 2021 deaths American physicists American women physicists Physics educators Historians of physics American historians American women historians Hofstra University alumni Claremont Graduate University alumni California State University, Los Angeles faculty Fellows of the American Physical Society