The question of the first female scientist to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics involves complex aspects of national identity, scientific recognition, and gender dynamics within the field of physics. The responses, Maria Goeppert-Mayer and the statement that no female has been awarded the Nobel Prize in this country, highlight distinct historical and national contexts.

### Early Life and Education of Maria Goeppert-Mayer

Maria Goeppert-Mayer, born on June 28, 1906, in Kattowitz, then in the Kingdom of Prussia, now Katowice, Poland, was a pioneering physicist whose groundbreaking work on the nuclear shell model of atomic nuclei earned her a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963. She studied mathematics and physics at the University of Göttingen, earning her Ph.D. in 1930 with a thesis on the theory of possible two-photon absorption by atoms. 

### Career and Scientific Contributions

After her marriage to Joseph Edward Mayer, an American chemical physicist, Goeppert-Mayer moved to the United States. She faced significant challenges as a woman in science, often working in unpaid positions due to nepotism rules that prevented her from being employed at the same institution where her husband worked. Despite these barriers, she continued her research and teaching at several institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Sarah Lawrence College, and the University of Chicago.

At the University of Chicago, she developed the nuclear shell model which proposes that nuclear shells are filled sequentially, similar to the electron shells of an atom. This model helped explain why certain numbers of nucleons (protons and neutrons) in an atom's nucleus result in exceedingly stable configurations. Her work significantly advanced the understanding of atomic nuclei and earned her the Nobel Prize in Physics, making her the second woman to win it in this category after Marie Curie. 

### National Recognition and the Nobel Prize

The recognition of Maria Goeppert-Mayer with a Nobel Prize in Physics highlighted her as a key figure in the field, particularly notable for being a female scientist in a predominantly male-dominated area. Her contributions are celebrated as paving the way for future generations of women in physics.

### Differing National Contexts

In contrast, some countries may have experienced different trajectories in terms of gender dynamics within the scientific community. The statement that "No female scientist has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in this country" reflects a variance in either the opportunities available to female scientists or in the achievements recognized by the Nobel Committee in different nations.

### Gender Disparity in Science

This variance also raises questions about the broader issue of gender disparity in the sciences globally. Despite significant advancements in recent decades, women remain underrepresented in many fields of science, particularly in physics. This disparity can be influenced by a variety of factors, including societal norms, education opportunities, and institutional support.

### Conclusion

The acknowledgment of Maria Goeppert-Mayer as the first female Nobel laureate in Physics in certain contexts, and the absence of any female laureates in others, both point to the ongoing challenges and progress in achieving gender equality in science. These examples demonstrate that while significant strides have been made, work still remains to be done in recognizing and supporting the contributions of women across all scientific disciplines.