Chapter 15 " Ma'am , I have to correct you - history is full of women who made tremendous contributions to their countries and the world . You're only ignorant of them because you haven't bothered to learn . There are teenagers present , their values still forming : please don't poison them with such backward thinking . And honestly , as a woman yourself , how can you belittle yourself like this ? I truly feel sorry for your children " The woman immediately planted her fists on her hips , her face twisting into a scowl . " Who do you think you are , butting in while adults are talking ? Didn't your parents teach you any manners ? If you're so clever , then tell me - name a single woman throughout history who's done anything important for society or the nation . Go on , if you can't , I'll shut your mouth for your Keeley tugged on Caitlin's sleeve , whispering . " Catie , it's not worth it . Let's just go . ' Caitlin hadn't even finished high school . No one expected her to have a long list of famous women at her fingertips . Truth be told , neither did anyone else - they were all at a loss , even old Mr. Davis , who'd lived through more history than most . Trying to stand up for something you know nothing about only invites laughter . " Keeley , there's no need to worry . " Caitlin stood her ground , her back , straight , her presence striking . Though she was only seventeen or eighteen , there was a calm in her eyes that seemed to have weathered every storm , a polse beyond her years . Please listen carefully , " she said , her voice steady , each word deliberate . " Emmy Noether from Germany - Albert Einstein called her " the most significant mathematical genius since women were allowed to attend universities . Her Noether's Theorem laid the foundation for quantum field theory and general relativity , and her work in abstract algebra changed mathematics forever . " Wang Zhenyl , a pioneering scientist from the China , was celebrated abroad as a foundational figure in science . She wrote . groundbreaking treatises on astronomy , including new theories after reading Copemicus , and was the first in the world to combine macro and micro perspectives of the universe . " Queen Elizabeth I ushered in England's Golden Age - the very height of the British Renaissance " Marie Curie discovered radium . " Rosalind Franklin uncovered the double helix structure of DNA . " Hedy Lamarr - the so - called ' Mother of WiFi - invented the technology behind WIFI , Bluetooth , and GPS " The world's first computer programmer ? Ada Lovelace . " She paused , letting the names settle over the crowd . Caitlin's tone was calm but her words resonated , each name and achievement crisp and unmistakable . She'd just listed , in perfect order the legendary women who shaped the world . on The little garden fell silent , every face awash with awe . No one had expected this teenage girl to be such a well of knowledge . For a moment , Caitlin was the living embodiment of grace born of learning . Keeley , in his wheelchair , stared in disbelief , mouth agape in a perfect ' 0 ' his eyes wide with astonishment . He'd assumed Caitlin was bluffing , trying to look tough . He was wrong - she was the real deal . A moment later , applause erupted . " Well said , young lady ! " " It's the twenty - first century - how can anyone still believe girls are less than boys ? Nonsense ! You're absolutely right , and I pity her children " " Women can hold their own against any man !! To have such knowledge at seventeen or eighteen was remarkable enough , but to speak so confidently in front of a crowd , without a hint of fear - Caitlin was something else entirely The brash woman , who had been so smug just moments before , now wished the ground would swallow her whole . She'd thought this slip of a girl would be easy to intimidate . Instead , she'd run into a brick wall Flustered , she wiped the sweat from her brow and hurried off , head bowed In the crowd , Beatrice watched Caitlin with open admiration . She'd met many people in her life , but never anyone quite like Caitlin.X This girl had it all - talent , beauty , poise . But more than that , she wasn't the least bit arrogant about her gifts . Humble , yet unyielding - like a red camellia blooming in the snow , or a pine standing tall through wind and rain . Extraordinary , no matter the circumstance . At that moment , Beatrice could practically see her future daughter - in - law smiling and waving at her . If her foolish son could win a girl like that , she'd be over the moon . Worried someone else might snatch Caitlin away , Beatrice started to step forward , eager to introduce herself . But she stopped , reconsidering . No , she couldn't just rush over - what if she startled her future daughter - in - law ? She needed to wait for the night moment For now , there were more urgent matters at hand . Beatrice pulled out her phone and dialed . " Hello , Annie ? "