She was a mathematician in the first half of the 20th century. She developed the basis for group theory.
Group theory is the mathematics behind the representation of all modern physics.
She was not permitted to hold a paid position, so she taught for no pay so that she could use the university facilities for her work. In the judgement of the most competent living mathematicians, Fraulein Noether was the most significant creative mathematical genius thus far produced since the higher education of women began. In the realm of algebra in which the most gifted mathematicians have been busy for centuries she discovered methods which have proved of enormous importance in the development of present day younger generation of mathematicians.