Categories Alternative histories Harriet Brooks is the first woman to earn a Masters at McGill, and goes on to be a leading nuclear physicist. Post author By Marc Cataford Post date August 31, 2016 No Comments on Harriet Brooks is the first woman to earn a Masters at McGill, and goes on to be a leading nuclear physicist. ← Lucy E. Potter becomes the first woman to head a student publication. → Chemist Annie MacLeod becomes the first woman to earn a PhD at McGill.