Sofia Kovalevskaya was a pioneering Russian mathematician born on January 15, 1850. She is best known for her work in analysis, differential equations, and mechanics. Kovalevskaya was the first woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics in modern Europe, achieving this milestone in 1874 from the University of Göttingen in Germany. In addition to her academic achievements, Kovalevskaya made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, including the famous Kovalevskaya top, a problem in celestial mechanics. She also advocated for women's education and was a prominent figure in the movement for women's rights in science.