Mother of the renowned astronomer Johannes Kepler, lived in Leonberg, Württemberg. She earned a living as a restaurateur, healer, and herbalist, maintaining financial independence after her husband’s passing. In 1615, a neighbor’s accusation led to her being charged with witchcraft. Her son Johannes mounted a strong defense, enlisting both legal and theological allies. Katharina faced imprisonment, the threat of torture, and a protracted legal battle before being acquitted in 1621. She died soon after her release. Her case, one of the most thoroughly recorded witch trials in German history, underscores the era’s social and judicial inequities and has since inspired numerous cultural works, including operas and novels.

The mother of famed inventor Thomas Edison and a key influence in his early life and education. Born in New York and educated as a teacher, she married Samuel Edison in Canada before relocating to Milan, Ohio, after political turmoil forced them to flee. There, the couple raised their growing family, eventually settling in a home that still stands as a historic site. When young Thomas struggled in school due to illness and partial deafness, and when teachers described him as too “addled” to learn, Nancy took over his education, nurturing his curiosity and love of reading. She homeschooled him using science texts and inspired his lifelong passion for learning. Although she died before seeing the full impact of his inventions, Thomas Edison always credited his mother’s belief in him as the driving force behind his success.

Nikola Tesla’s mother, Georgina “Djuka” Tesla, born Đuka Mandić in 1822, was an unlettered yet extraordinarily gifted woman renowned for her inventiveness and craftsmanship. Coming from a family with a lineage of Serbian Orthodox priests and inventors, she invented various household labor-saving devices and crafted many items for her family. Tesla credited much of his own inventiveness and eidetic memory to her influence, describing her as a first-class inventor with exceptional dexterity and intuition. Djuka managed a busy household and was notably hardworking, often working from early morning until late at night. Despite her lack of formal education, she had a deep wisdom and strength of character, which she imparted to her children. She passed away in 1892, deeply mourned by Tesla, who frequently spoke of her with admiration and respect. 

She was the mother of renowned physicist Albert Einstein. Born in Cannstatt, Württemberg, she came from a Jewish family with modest origins but saw financial success later in life. Pauline married Hermann Einstein in 1876, and they had two children: Albert (born 1879) and Maria (1881). A well-educated, quiet, and artistic woman, she nurtured Albert’s early interest in music, encouraging him to take violin lessons at age five. After Hermann’s death in 1902, Pauline’s life included several relocations, including time spent in Hechingen, Berlin, and Zurich. Despite facing personal and financial struggles, she remained a significant figure in Albert’s life. During his early years, her nurturing support and intellectual environment were instrumental in shaping his future. She passed away in 1920 in Berlin, just after being cared for by Albert during her final days. Pauline’s influence was pivotal in fostering Albert’s intellectual and emotional development.