Women have made incredible contributions to the field of science, from ground-breaking discoveries to technological innovations. Let's take a moment to celebrate the brilliant minds of these women and their invaluable contributions to science!
In 1950, Rosalind Franklin deduced the basic dimensions of DNA strands and their helical structure. She also discovered that DNA's structure changes at high moisture levels. These discoveries advanced forensics, molecular biology, and gene editing. Though her contribution remains clouded, she inspires the younger generation.
In the early 20th century, Dorothy Hodgkin had to challenge her way to study chemistry, as only men were allowed to study such subjects back then. She paved the way to study at Oxford and obtained a PhD from Cambridge. Dorothy is the woman behind our understanding of the structure of penicillin, which led to a synthetic version and products that have since saved millions of lives from infections. She won a Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1964.
Women played a critical role in enabling moon landings. The story of Katherine Johnson, a Black American mathematician, and her colleagues Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who were 'human computers' in this mission, is depicted in the Oscar-nominated movie Hidden Figures. Vanitha Muthayya and Ritu Karidhal from the Indian Space Research Organisation led Chandrayaan-2. They inspired millions worldwide to pursue careers in STEM fields once considered unsuitable for women.
Katsuko Saruhashi, one of the most outstanding Japanese scientists, was the first woman to be awarded a doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of Tokyo in 1957. She created tools to measure carbon dioxide levels in seawater and showed the dangers of radioactive fallout. We now know the impact of human activities and carbon emissions and a reason to pursue green energies.
According to data from the UK government, women make up only 29.4% of the STEM workforce, and 43% of STEM vacancies still need to be filled. It's important to consider why fewer women pursue STEM careers. Women's accomplishments often get overlooked, but they have overcome challenges and made notable contributions, even in fields like astrophysics. Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, a Muslim woman astrophysicist, discovered an extremely rare galaxy with a unique double-ringed elliptical structure, which is now commonly referred to as Burcin's Galaxy.
Even as we read this blog, many of us must be on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS. However, we owe the possibility of wireless communication to the brilliant Hedy Lamarr, who, along with Antheil, patented the "frequency hopping" concept in 1942. The US Navy utilized this innovation, enabling a wide range of wireless communications today. "Lamarr's work reminds us that beauty does not hinder intelligence.".
Throughout the world, women have demonstrated incredible determination in pursuing their passions despite facing numerous challenges. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has helped make our world a better place. Let's empower young girls to pursue their aspirations with confidence and vigour, igniting a fire within them. By doing so, we can ensure a brighter future for all.
Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams. Don't let anyone discourage you or make you feel like you don't belong. Remember that you can achieve great things. "Believe in yourself and your ability to create a truly fulfilling life."
References
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01313-5
- https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/burcin-new-galaxy/
- https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1964/hodgkin/biographical/
- https://www.cnbctv18.com/photos/science/chandrayaan-3-victory-women-scientists-at-the-helm-of-india-lunar-exploration-17627561.htm#
- https://www.eagblog.org/news/greatgeochemists-saruhashi/