1917-2014 Rachel White was an Australian scientist who made great contributions to the field of wool research during her tenure at Australia's CSIRO. She studied the friction, felting and shrink-proofing of wool. In 1971 she became a Senior Principal Research Scientist, and in 1977 CSIRO's first female Chief Research Scientist. In 1979, she became the first woman to achieve the rank of Assistant Chief of Division in CSIRO. As a scientist, and socialist, she was a huge advocate for equal pay and opportunities for women. She also had a long standing interest in Aboriginal rights.