Margaret Floy Washburn was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychology, earning her degree from Cornell University in 1894. A prominent figure in the field, she made significant contributions to comparative psychology and the study of animal behavior. Washburn's work emphasized the importance of empirical research and helped establish psychology as a rigorous scientific discipline. She was a trailblazer for women in academia and authored notable texts, including "The Animal Mind," solidifying her place in psychological history.