Chapter 1: A Journey Through Time

In recent years, significant strides have been made regarding the representation of women in science. However, perceptions still linger. Research indicates that when participants believed more women were involved in a particular scientific discipline, they were inclined to categorize that field as a “soft science.” This label often led to a devaluation of these areas, with assertions of less rigor and credibility, even impacting funding opportunities. -The Conversation, January 24, 2022

Greetings, everyone! We are the everyday folk of 2022, reflecting on the role of women in science. It’s astounding to see how far we've come! Nowadays, it seems anyone can venture into scientific fields, largely thanks to the increasing presence of women. Honestly, it’s nearly impossible to engage in a scientific discussion without encountering a woman in STEM. To illustrate this progress, we’ll delve into some remarkable achievements by women in science over the years.

1903: Dr. Marie Curie made history by winning the Nobel Prize in Physics for her groundbreaking work on radiation, following advocacy from a male colleague who insisted she share the honor with two male recipients. Behind every remarkable woman is often a supportive man!

1907: British biochemist Muriel Wheldale Onslow's research on flower color inheritance laid foundational elements for modern genetics. Although she has a research fellowship named after her at Cambridge, we can't help but think her extensive flower cultivation was more for personal enjoyment than strictly scientific inquiry.

1911: Marie Curie achieved the extraordinary feat of winning a second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for her discovery of the elements radium and polonium. Remarkably, she remains the only woman to have received this honor twice. One wonders how she managed to fit two prestigious awards in her purse! Her legacy is not only scientific but also steeped in intrigue.

1925: Astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin made significant contributions by classifying stars based on their temperatures. Interestingly, we use a similar “hotness” scale to evaluate female scientists among a group of middle-aged men at a local eatery!

1934: Dr. Ruby Hirose, a Japanese-American biochemist, played a pivotal role in developing vaccines for polio and hay fever. It seems that the best way for women to spread happiness is simply to smile more.

1934: Ida Noddack, a German chemist, co-discovered the element rhenium and was the first to propose the concept of nuclear fission, facing skepticism from her peers. Today, we might use more contemporary language to describe that resistance, like “passive-aggressive” or “careerist.”

1953: Rosalind Franklin was instrumental in uncovering the double helix structure of DNA alongside James Watson and Francis Crick. It’s rather remarkable that she did not receive due credit for her contributions—she was practically one of the guys!

1961: Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician, calculated the trajectory for the first American in space and the first American to orbit Earth. Her extraordinary mathematical skills were nothing short of essential, despite the stereotypes surrounding women’s spatial reasoning abilities.

1963: Mary Golda Ross co-authored the NASA Planetary Flight Handbook Vol. III, exploring space travel to Mars and Venus. Admittedly, we haven’t read it; “beach reads” just aren’t our thing. Perhaps it was later transformed into a couples’ therapy manual!

1975: Flossie Wong-Staal was the first scientist to clone HIV and uncover its genetic workings. If only she had been able to clone women, the men in our group might stop making birthday celebration suggestions involving threesomes!

1978: Vera Rubin’s research proved the existence of dark matter by identifying the influence of invisible gravitational forces on celestial bodies. In retrospect, that was a rather straightforward conclusion. We’re currently investigating the invisible forces that seem to guide men into leadership roles in STEM—a theory we’ve dubbed “meritocracy.”

1986: Rita Levi-Montalcini was awarded the Nobel Prize for her discovery of the nerve growth factor, leading to advancements in understanding diseases like dementia and cancer. Speaking of nerves, we worry that an influx of women in STEM might soften the hard edges of science with their emotional intelligence and active listening skills.

2020: Jennifer Anne Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their revolutionary work on CRISPR, fundamentally changing genome editing. They say you can’t change a man, but clearly, the tides are shifting for women in science!

2022: Sara Seager has identified 715 planets while working with the Kepler Space Telescope, and she continues her research there today. Just to be safe, let’s say 500, in case she miscounted during her menstrual cycle—after all, women often face cognitive challenges during that time.

Gwen Coburn is a Boston-based writer and comedian with strong views on feminism, horses, and TikTok gardening trends. Follow her @sadgrlsongsgwen on Twitter.

Miriam Jayaratna is a clinical psychologist and writer located in NYC. Having won accolades for chemistry and calculus in her youth, she humorously claims to have forgotten most of it due to life’s challenges. Connect with her on Twitter @jayaratnahhh.

Chapter 2: Historical Insights through Visual Media

As we delve into the past, it’s important to recognize the insights and narratives shared through visual media. The following videos provide valuable perspectives on the roles of women in science throughout history.

The first video, For the Future of Women in Science, Look to the Past | Nathalia Holt, emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding the current landscape for women in STEM.

The second video, Histories of Women in Science, offers an in-depth exploration of the contributions and challenges faced by women scientists over the years.