http://nypost.com/2016/12/18/how-a-scottish-maid-became-an-acclaimed-harvard-astronomer/
In 1879, Williamina “Mina” Fleming was hired as household help for the couple that ran the Harvard College Observatory. An immigrant from Scotland, she had been a teacher before coming to America. But after her husband disappeared, leaving her alone and pregnant, she had no choice but to take any position she could.