June 24, 1831 To all my future mathematicians, For those of you who don't know me , my name is Sophie Germain, one of very few female mathematicians from my century. I'm writing this because unfortunately my time has come and I don't know how many days I have left. Not that long ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but I wanted to tell you about my life before I pass so that I can encourage young women to pursue their dreams of pursuing careers in the mathematical sciences. That's me! I was born on April 1st in the year of 1776 in Paris, France. That was the year the American Revolution began. Thirteen short years later, the French Revolution began. I like to think I was born for revolution but that's just between you and me. I grew up in a wealthy middle class family due to my father's career as a merchant and director of the Bank of France. Despite our wealth, my parents didn't choose to spend it on my education, at least for awhile. ...