20 Trailblazing Women In Science Who Shaped History

Their commitment to scientific inquiry serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring scientists worldwide.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• April 2, 2024

In a world where barriers once confined them, women have boldly carved out their place in the annals of scientific achievement so it's a fitting moment to reflect on the remarkable strides made by women in the realm of science.

Throughout history, women have defied norms and challenged the status quo, proving their mettle in the face of adversity. From the pioneering research of Marie Curie to the groundbreaking work of Rosalind Franklin, their contributions have reshaped our understanding of the world.

These trailblazers shattered glass ceilings, paving the way for future generations to pursue their passions without constraint. Yet, the legacy of women in science is not confined to the pages of history.

In contemporary times, individuals like Jane Goodall and Mae Jemison continue to push the boundaries of exploration and discovery. Their commitment to scientific inquiry serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring scientists worldwide.

As we celebrate women in history, let us honor the resilience, intellect, and innovation of women in science. Their contributions, both past and present, underscore the vital role that diversity and inclusion play in driving progress and fostering creativity.

From the laboratory bench to the far reaches of outer space, women continue to shape the course of scientific discovery, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of human achievement.

1. Miriam Daniel Mann

"Miriam Daniel Mann, who had a chemistry degree with a minor in mathematics, got a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), NASA’s predecessor, as a human computer in the 1940s. Her work helped put astronaut John Glenn into orbit, but she also fought against segregation at NASA."

2. Cynthia Kenyon

"Cynthia Kenyon, a molecular biologist and geneticist, is currently working with a team of scientists at Calico, Google’s nascent biotechnology company, to find ways to slow aging and prevent age-related diseases. In 1993, she discovered that altering a single gene in roundworms could double their lifespan. She’s been able to discover which genes help us live longer and has a goal of extending human lives by 100 years."

3. Rachel Carson

"Marine biologist and writer Rachel Carson published a book called, “Silent Spring” in 1962, which warned about the danger of pesticides. It had a huge historical impact and led to lethal pesticides being banned in the U.S."

4. Sara Seager

"Astronomer and planetary scientist Sara Seager has discovered 715 exoplanets with the Kepler Space Telescope.She’s hoping to find atmospheres similiar to Earth’s in her ultimate goal of discovering another life-sustaining planet."

5. Jennifer Eberhardt

" Social psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt studies the way people profile others based on race, specifically when it comes to law enforcement officials. She works with police to help create better policies and build better relationships with the communities they serve".

6. Dian Fossey

"Anthropologist and primatologist Dian Fossey studied and developed close contacts with the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Volcano region of Rwanda. Her studies are credited for providing the basis of our understanding of the behavior and social life of gorillas."

7. Nina Tandon

"Nina Tandon, CEO and cofounder of EpiBone is using people’s stem cells to grow human bone that can be used to repair bone loss and other defects."

8. Katrin Amunts

"German neuroscientist Katrin Amunts is leading a team of researchers who are constructing a 3-D map of the brain, which should give us more insight into how the brain works and how it drives our behavior."

9. Gertrude B. Elion

"Chemist and pharmacologist Gertrude B. Elion was hired by Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceuticals in 1944 and developed 6-mercaptopurine, a drug used in chemotherapy to treat children with leukemia. Among her other contributions, she developed azathioprine, which helps prevent rejection after organ transplant surgery."

10. Mae Carol Jemison

"Mae Carol Jemison was the first black woman to travel to space in the Space Shuttle Endeavor on September 12, 1992."

11. Cecilia Helena Payne-Gaposchkin

"Cecilia Helena Payne-Gaposchkin not only became the first person to earn a Ph.D. in astronomy from Radcliffe, but she also determined in 1925 that hydrogen and helium were the most abundant elements in stars."

12. Jane Goodall

"Jane Goodall is credited for revolutionizing the field of primatology with her decades spent observing and studying the behavior of the Gombe chimpanzees in Tanzania."

13. Grace Murray Hopper

"Mathematician Grace Murray Hopper helped program the first computers in 1944, contributed to furthering software development concepts, and invented the first compiler for a computer programming language."

14. Ada Lovelace

"Computer scientist Ada Lovelace could be considered as the world’s first computer programmer. The notes she made about Charles Babbage’s proposed calculating machines in the 1800s are now recognized as early models for computers and software. The programming language “Ada” was named after her."

15. Judith Resnik

"Judith Resnik was one of the first women to enter the U.S. space program and became the second American woman ever to fly in space in 1984. Unfortunately, she was one of the people who tragically died when the space shuttle Challenger exploded."

16. Margaret Mead

"Margaret Mead was the first anthropologist to study human development from a cross-cultural perspective in America, Samoa, Bali, and New Guinea. She was also a leader of the women’s movement during the 1960s."

17. Eleanor Maccoby

"Eleanor Maccoby is a psychologist whose discoveries about socializing young children and measuring social behavior in infants and preschool children have greatly influenced research in developmental and social psychology."

18. Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

"Rosalyn Sussman Yalow helped develop the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique, which uses radioisotopes to measure levels of hormones in the human blood system. This made it possible to screen donor blood for diseases like hepatitis and it can determine conditions like hypothyroidism in infants."

19. Emmy Noether

"Emmy Noether is known as a pioneer in the field of abstract algebra who worked during the early 1900s. She developed the theories of rings, fields, and algebras, and even explained the connection between symmetry and conservation laws. Albert Einstein himself described her as the most important woman in the history of mathematics."

20. Inge Lehmann

"Seismologist and geophysicist Inge Lehmann discovered that the Earth has a solid inner core inside a molten outer core in 1936 when it was believed that Earth’s core was a single molten sphere."

Women in science show us that if you keep trying, keep learning, and don't give up, you can achieve amazing things. As we honor women in our history, let’s remember that women are still making a big impact in science today.

Their hard work and smarts inspire all of us to dream big and keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles we face.

Damjan