Fanny Hunt was the first woman Science graduate, in 1888, photo G3_224_1421, taken in 1888, University of Sydney Archives.

Marion Horton (later White) was the University's third woman Science graduate, in 1897, photo from the 'Gazette', March 1985. After graduating, she was recommended for the position of junior demonstrator in biology by the Professor of Biology. The Senate Appointments Committee rejected her appointment, with no reason given. Later, however, she was told that it was because she was a woman and 'too pretty'.

Sarah Brennan (BA 1889, MA 1891) graduated BSc in 1898. She became a nun, taught science and Latin, and later helped to train Sisters to teach science, photo, Australian Town and Country Journal, 20 April 1889, National Library of Australia.

A Chemistry class in 1901, with the small number of female students grouped together in the front row, photo from 'The Gazette", March 1988.

Fanny Cohen (BA 1908) graduated BSc in 1909 with Hons I in Mathematics and Hons I with the University Medal in Geology, photo G3_224_1368, University Archives. She became assistant mistress of mathematics at Fort Street Girls' High School in 1912, graduated MA in 1913 & at the end of 1929 returned to Fort Street as headmistress. She served as a Fellow of Senate and in 1962 was appointed MBE for services to education.

Women students on a Geology excursion to the Hunter Valley c1910. They enjoyed searching for fossils by day and singing topical songs around the campfire by night, photo, University of Sydney Archives.

Edna Sayce (later Briggs) was the first woman Physics graduate, in 1917, photo G3_224_1631, University of Sydney Archives. At the end of her first year, she went to see the Professor about continuing in Physics. His response was, 'Why don't you do geology? That is a better subject for a woman student'. Then eventually 'What was your first year exam result?' 'I came first.' Then 'I don't suppose I can stop you'.

Marie Bentivoglio graduated BSc in 1919 with Hons I in Geology & Mineralogy and Hons II in Botany. She completed a DipEd in 1920 & was the first woman to win an 1851 Exhibition Science Scholarship to Oxford where she gained a PhD and a Diploma of Geography, photo G3_224_1413, University Archives. The honorary degree of Doctor of Science was conferred upon her in 1994.

Science III students in 1923, photo G3_224_1484, University of Sydney Archives - click on images for names.

Marjorie Collins (later Shiels), the first Master of Science graduate, in 1924, photo G3_224_1415 taken in 1930, University of Sydney Archives.

Thelma Reynolds graduated BSc with Second Class Honours in Organic Chemistry in 1929 & MSc in Chemistry in 1931. She later gained a DPhil from Oxford and after 3 years spent in organic chemistry work there, became attached to the Division of Forest Products, part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, in Australia, photo, The Australian Women's Weekly, 20 March 1937, NLA.

Daphne Stephan (later Bamford) graduated BSc with Hons I in 1936 & was the first woman to be awarded the University Medal in Science - in Chemistry, photo, Australian Women's Weekly, 25.3.1939, NLA. Awarded the James King of Irrawang travelling scholarship, she continued her studies at Cambridge where she gained her PhD in 1939. She married C Bamford.

The women scientists Commem Day float in 1937, photo, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order number: hood_14971.

At the instigation of Professor of Zoology J W Dakin, in 1940 women Zoology students began making camouflage nets for the Army and the Air Force. In the photo, research assistant Ruth Sanger works on a net with Lecturer Alan Colefax, who instructed the students, looking on, photo, The Australian Women's Weekly, 11 January 1941, National Library of Australia.

Joan Freeman graduated BSc with double First Class Honours in Mathematics and Physics in 1939 & MSc in 1943. She spent most of her working life at the British Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, photo, Australian Women's Weekly, 31.3.1976. In 1993 an honorary Doctor of Science degree was conferred on her by Sydney University.

Beryl Nashar graduated BSc with Hons I & the University Medal in 1947, photo c1950s, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Digital order no: hood_27863. At the University of Tasmania she became the 1st Australian to be awarded a PhD in geology from an Australian university. She became Foundation Professor of Geology at the University of Newcastle & then the 1st woman dean of science at an Australian university.

Daphne Davison (later Eliot) graduated MSc in 1948 and was awarded a Science Scholarship to Cambridge where she obtained a PhD in plant biochemistry, photo, The Australian Women's Weekly, 30 October 1948, National Library of Australia. The article said "Miss Davison represents the new, more feminine type of woman scientist".

Olga Kooptzoff (later Archer), Australian-born daughter of Russian immigrants, graduated BSc with Honours in Zoology on 17 May 1950, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1950, National Library of Australia. In 1954 she graduated MSc and was establishing a reputation at the Red Cross blood transfusion service in Sydney for her early work on blood groups and genetics.

Eleanor (Nora) Gyarfas was the first woman to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty, in 1951, photo G3_224_2112, University of Sydney Archives. She was the first chemist to investigate the complex compounds of the rare metal osmium. A graduate of Budapest University, she had been workingd under a Commonwealth research scholarship at the University since she arrived in January 1948.

Nola Hannon (BSc Hons 1950) and Ruth Simons (BSc Hons 1952) were botanists who won Linnean Macleay Science Fellowships for 1954, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1953, National Library of Australia. Nola continued her work on the status of nitrogen in the Hawkesbury Sandstone communities of the Sydney district; won the Fellowship for 1955 and later gained the PhD.

Patricia Hextall graduated BSc in 1954 with First Class Honours and the University Medal in Organic Chemistry. She was working at the University under an ICI Fellowship, investigating chemical constituents of the grasstree gum. Later she hoped to go to England to work for her PhD, photo, The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 August 1953, National Library of Australia.

Gillian Beatty graduated BSc in Biochemistry/Microbiology in 1961. She received an Honorary Doctor fo Science degree from Sydney University in 2007, photo, copyright Memento Photography.

Ann Roberts graduated BSc with Hons I in Physics and the University Medal in 1985. She is pictured with Dr Ross McPhedran, senior lecturer at the School of Physics, photo, The Gzette, March 1985, University of Sydney Archives. She subsequently obtained the PhD. After a position in the School of Electrical Engineering at Cornell University, she accepted a position in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne where she is now Assoc Professor & Deputy Head of School.

Physics students Dianne Gibbons (left) and Alexia Bygott carrying out an experiment in solid state electronics, photo, The University of Sydney Annual Report 1987.

Dr Kate Fairley-Grenot graduated BSc (Hons) in 1986 and PhD in biophysics in 1991. Dr Fairley-Grenot is now Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, photo, Faculty of Science - Biology News, January 2013.

Dr Diana Londish graduated PhD in Astrophysics in 2004, photo, School of Physics Alumni News, November 2006.

Jill Halliday graduated BSc (Hons) in 2004 and commenced her PhD in organic chemistry in 2006, photo, ChemNews, Spring 2006]..

Elizabeth New graduated BSc(Advanced) with Honours in Chemistry in 2005 and MSc in 2007, then gained a PhD from Durham University. Dr New joined the School of Chemistry in January 2012, photo, University website.

First-year biology students in 2012, photo from Biology News, May 2012.