The first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was Elinor Ostrom. Awarded the prize in 2009, she was recognized for her groundbreaking work in understanding how communities manage common-pool resources without resorting to privatization or government control. Ostrom's research challenged conventional economic theories, highlighting the role of social cooperation and governance in resource management. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on economics and environmental policy, paving the way for future scholars, especially women, in the field.