"I am a mathematician. Mathematicians do exotic research so it's
hard to describe exactly what I do in lay terms.[...]
I am aware of the fact that I am a role model for young women in
mathematics, and that's partly what I'm here for. It's hard to be a role
model, however, because what you really need to do is show students how
imperfect people can be and still succeed. Everyone knows that if people
are smart, funny, pretty, or well-dressed they will succeed. But it's also
possible to succeed with all of your imperfections. It took me a long time
to realize this in my own life. In this respect, being a role model is
a very unglamorous position to be in, showing people all your bad sides.
I may be a wonderful mathematician and famous because of it, but I'm also
very human."
(Karen Uhlenbeck, in S. Ambrose et al. "Journeys of Women in Science
and Engineering, No Universal Constants", Temple University Press.)