Before the 21st century, women faced many obstacles when trying to achieve equality. They were considered the “weaker sex” and were not as educated or as capable as men. Even when some women tried to prove these statements false and showed that they were just as capable as men and of asserting all kinds of opinions, they were ostracized and rejected. They were not considered ladies and were not respected. At that time, women did not have the opportunity to prove that they were equal to men. Any opinions they raised were quickly dismissed. Many women writers and thinkers were not taken seriously at this time (many had to create pseudonyms to hide their gender when they not only wanted to be published but to be taken seriously), and even very "influential" women salons had a lot of influence. little or no credibility in the male-dominated political and social sector. They were considered inferior to men, particularly in terms of education and ability to disseminate their ideas to the public. The education of women was very different from that of men. Additionally, most women of this era were not encouraged to pursue higher education. It is very interesting how women were considered uneducated when they did not even have the opportunity to become uneducated. One woman, however, challenged many of these social “norms” and expectations of women. It was Émilie du Châtelet. Emilie du Châtelet was one of the most educated women of her time. She was the exception to the rule. Of course, there were many factors that allowed Emilie du Chatelet to become the educated mathematician and scientist she was. She had many opportunities to express herself such as: (1) her childhood/education, (2) salons/Dressi...... middle of paper ...... she followed a lot of rules and Many of the social norms that women of the time were expected to uphold were challenged, such as (1) being not only an educated woman but also a highly intellectual woman, (2) being able to attend school. She challenged the social norms for women of her time.II. Emilie du Châtelet did things that most women of her time could not do. She was still not respected like men, but history remembers her.http://womeninscience.history.msu.edu/Object/C-46-1/institutions-de-physique-1740-- /. Women and Science (Physical Institutions) Women and the Paris Academy of Sciences. Vesna Petrovich. ^ 75477 http://www.math.wichita.edu/history/women/chatelet.html Women and the Paris Academy of Sciences. Vesna Petrovich.