In the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), women are often underrepresented, with several studies showing a significant gap in male/female representation in these professions.
Indeed, progress has been made over the years to promote gender equality. Still, obstacles persist, such as gender stereotypes, lack of female role models and lack of support, which continue to deter many young girls from pursuing careers in STEM.
However, initiatives such as the VisitMath project help inspire and encourage young girls to explore careers in science. By emphasising the importance of mathematics in our daily lives and providing interactive educational resources, this project aims to spark young girls’ interest in STEM from a young age, showing them how mathematics can be fun, relevant and enriching.
Women are making their mark in STEM fields more than ever, their stories being ones of perseverance, passion and determination in the face of often unique challenges. Here are some inspiring examples of women who have shaped the world of STEM through their remarkable journeys:
Dr. Marie Curie (1867-1934): Pioneer of radiology.
Dr. Marie Curie paved the way for many women in science, becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Her revolutionary work on radioactivity (discovered in 1896) opened new perspectives in physics and medicine.
Katherine Johnson (1918-2020): NASA’s Hidden Star.
An African-American mathematician and physicist, Katherine Johnson played a crucial role in the early American space program, contributing to orbital calculations for launching the first astronauts into space.
Dr. Jane Goodall (born in 1934): Ethologist and wildlife advocate.
Renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall revolutionised our understanding of animals and evolution with her research into chimpanzee behaviour. She overcame challenges to become one of the world’s most respected scientists.
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852): The First Programmer.
Considered the first female programmer in history, she developed algorithms for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, laying the foundation for modern computing.
Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958): The structure of DNA.
This British chemist and crystallographer is renowned for her pioneering work on the structure of DNA. Using X-ray diffraction, Franklin produced crucial images that allowed James Watson and Francis Crick to formulate their double helix model of DNA in 1953.
Grace Hopper (1906-1992): modern computing.
American computer scientist, she is famous for developing the first compiler for a programming language, the A-0 programming language, in 1952. Her work laid the foundation for many modern programming languages and helped make programming more accessible to more people.
Stephanie Kwolek (1923-2014): Kevlar protection.
She is an American chemist who invented Kevlar in 1965. Kevlar is a solid and lightweight synthetic material widely used to manufacture body armour, hard hats, and other protective equipment.
Barbara Liskov (born in 1939): Software design.
American computer scientist Barbara Liskov is famous for developing the Liskov substitution principle in 1987. This principle, fundamental in software engineering, establishes rules for the design of robust and extensible software.
Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997): Particle physics.
This Chinese-American physicist is credited with experimentally confirming the violation of parity in weak interactions in 1956. Her experiment, known as the Wu experiment, played a crucial role in developing particle physics.
Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000): Precursor of WI-Fi.
Austrian-American actress but also a talented inventor. In 1942, she co-invented a data transmission system using frequency modulation, which is considered a precursor to Wi-Fi, and contributed to developing many modern wireless technologies.
Mary Anderson (1866-1953): The Windshield Wiper.
American entrepreneur Mary Anderson is known for inventing the first automobile windshield wiper in 1903. Her invention greatly improved road safety by allowing drivers to keep their windshields clean in rainy or snowy weather.
Margaret Knight (1838-1914): Square bottom bags.
An American inventor, she is famous for inventing the square-bottom paper bag-making machine in 1870. Her invention revolutionised the packaging industry by enabling rapid and efficient production of durable, uniform paper bags.
These remarkable women are just a few examples of women’s positive impact in STEM fields. Their journeys illustrate the need to overcome obstacles and passionately pursue one’s interests and dreams, paving the way for a future generation of women scientists, engineers and innovators.
So, while the path to gender equality in science is a work in progress, initiatives like our VisitMath project and the contributions of women in STEM show that every small step brings us closer to a future where talent and passion transcend gender barriers.
Pictures Sources
Dr. Marie Curie: Photo credit FLICKR
Katherine Johnson: Photo credit FLICKR
Dr. Jane Goodall: Photo credit FLICKR
Ada Lovelace: Photo credit FLICKR
Rosalind Franklin: Photo credit FLICKR
Grace Hopper: Photo credit FLICKR
Stephanie Kwolek: Photo credit WIKIMEDIA
Barbara Liskov: Photo credit WIKIMEDIA
Chien-Shiung Wu: Photo credit PICRYL
Hedy Lamarr: Photo credit WIKIMEDIA
Mary Anderson: Photo credit WIKIMEDIA
Margaret Knight: Photo credit PICRYL