The first female graduate from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) was Ellen Swallow Richards, who earned her degree in 1873 in chemistry. As a pioneering scientist and advocate for sanitary engineering and public health, she focused on improving water quality and the living conditions of urban populations. Richards was a prominent figure in the "home economics" movement, emphasizing the importance of domestic science in education. Her legacy at MIT is honored through the establishment of the Ellen Swallow Richards Award, which recognizes academic achievement among female students. Richards' contributions laid groundwork for integrating women into science and engineering fields, paving the way for future generations.