Famous Women In STEM: How They Changed the World

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These are fields that explore the natural and physical world, create innovative solutions, and improve our lives. STEM is important because it helps us understand how things work, solve problems, and advance knowledge.

However, STEM has not always been welcoming or fair to women. Women have faced many challenges and barriers to pursue their passions and careers in STEM, such as discrimination, sexism, lack of recognition, and limited opportunities. Despite these obstacles, many women have persevered and excelled in STEM, making significant contributions and discoveries that changed the world.

In this article, we will celebrate and honor some of the famous women in STEM who have shaped the history and future of science and technology. We will learn about their lives, achievements, and challenges, and how they inspired generations of women and girls to follow their dreams. We will also explore how we can support and encourage more women in STEM, and what resources and opportunities are available for them.

Hypatia

Hypatia was one of the great thinkers of ancient Alexandria and a prolific polymath who studied and taught mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. She was born sometime between 350 and 370 CE, and was the daughter of Theon, the last known member of the famous Museum of Alexandria, a center of culture and learning for the ancient world.

Hypatia learned mathematics and astronomy from her father, and became a respected teacher and scholar. She wrote commentaries on classical works, such as Euclid’s Elements and Diophantus’ Arithmetica, and developed her own original theories and methods. She also taught philosophy, especially Neoplatonism, which was a school of thought that combined Greek and Egyptian ideas.

Hypatia was admired for her wisdom, eloquence, and virtue, and attracted many students and followers. She was also involved in the civic affairs of Alexandria, and advised the Roman governor Orestes. However, her public influence and pagan beliefs made her a target of religious and political conflict. In 415 or 416 CE, a fanatical Christian mob attacked her, dragged her into a church, and brutally killed her.

Hypatia’s death marked the end of an era of intellectual flourishing in Alexandria, and the beginning of the Dark Ages. Her works were lost or destroyed, and her memory was distorted by later writers. However, in modern times, she has been rediscovered and revered as a symbol of wisdom, freedom, and feminism. She is honored as one of the first women in STEM, and as a martyr for science and reason.

Beatrice Shilling

Beatrice Shilling was a brilliant engineer and motorcycle racer who was born in 1909 in England. She was fascinated by machines and mechanics from a young age, and pursued her education in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering at the University of Manchester. She was one of the few women to graduate with a degree in engineering at that time.

Shilling joined the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) in 1936, where she worked on various projects related to aircraft design and performance. She was especially interested in improving the engines and fuel systems of fighter planes, which were crucial for the British air defense during World War II.

One of the problems that plagued the British pilots was that their planes would lose power and stall when they dived at high speeds. This was because the carburetors could not supply enough fuel to the engines under negative gravity. Shilling devised a simple but ingenious solution: a metal disc with a hole in the middle, which restricted the fuel flow and prevented flooding. This device, known as the “Miss Shilling’s orifice” or the “Tilly orifice”, was installed in thousands of planes and saved many lives.

Shilling also had a passion for motorcycle racing, and was a record-breaking speedster. She was the first woman to win a Gold Star for lapping the Brooklands circuit at over 100 mph in 1934. She continued to race until 1962, and was known for her skill and courage.

Shilling retired from the RAE in 1969, after a distinguished career of 33 years. She received many honors and awards, such as the Order of the British Empire, the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Bronze Medal, and the Woman Engineer of the Year. She died in 1990, at the age of 81. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a trailblazer for women in engineering and motorsport.

Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician and NASA scientist who was born in 1918 in West Virginia. She was a prodigy who loved numbers and calculations, and graduated from high school at the age of 14 and from college at the age of 18. She was one of the first African American women to attend graduate school at West Virginia University, where she studied mathematics and physics.

Johnson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor of NASA, in 1953, where she worked as a “human computer”. She performed complex calculations and analysis for various projects related to aircraft and space flight. She was part of the all-black female group of mathematicians known as the “West Area Computers”, who faced racial and gender discrimination at work.

Johnson proved her skills and earned the respect of her colleagues and supervisors. She was assigned to work on some of the most important missions of the space program, such as the launch of the first American astronaut, Alan Shepard, in 1961, and the orbit of the first American, John Glenn, in 1962. She calculated the trajectories, launch windows, and emergency backup plans for these flights, and checked the accuracy of the electronic computers. Glenn famously asked for Johnson to verify the numbers before he agreed to go to space.

Johnson also worked on the Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the moon. She helped to calculate the lunar module’s landing and return, and the rendezvous of the command and service module. She was also involved in the Apollo 13 mission, which suffered a critical failure and had to abort the lunar landing. She helped to ensure the safe return of the astronauts to Earth.

Johnson retired from NASA in 1986, after a remarkable career of 33 years. She received many honors and awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the NASA Lunar Orbiter Award. She died in 2020, at the age of 101. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a hero of the space race.

Rosalind Franklin

Rosalind Franklin was a brilliant biophysicist and chemist who was born in 1920 in England. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in chemistry at the University of Cambridge. She earned her PhD in 1945, and then worked as a research fellow in Paris, where she learned the technique of X-ray crystallography.

Franklin returned to England in 1951, and joined the King’s College London, where she worked on the structure of DNA, the molecule of life. She used X-ray diffraction to produce high-quality images of DNA fibers, which revealed the helical shape and the dimensions of the molecule. She also calculated the density and water content of DNA, and deduced that it had a double-stranded structure.

However, Franklin’s work was not appreciated or acknowledged by her colleagues at King’s College, especially Maurice Wilkins, who treated her as an assistant rather than a leader. Wilkins also secretly shared Franklin’s data and images with James Watson and Francis Crick, who were working on the same problem at Cambridge. Watson and Crick used Franklin’s information, without her permission or knowledge, to build their famous model of the double helix, and published their paper in 1953, along with Wilkins and Franklin’s papers.

Franklin left King’s College in 1953, and moved to the Birkbeck College, where she worked on the structure of viruses, such as tobacco mosaic virus and polio virus. She made significant contributions to the field of virology, and collaborated with many scientists. She also planned to revise her DNA work, and correct some of the errors in Watson and Crick’s model.

However, Franklin’s career was cut short by ovarian cancer, which she developed in 1956, possibly due to exposure to X-rays. She died in 1958, at the age of 37. She never received the recognition or the credit she deserved for her work on DNA, and was excluded from the Nobel Prize that was awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins in 1962. Her role in the discovery of the structure of DNA was largely ignored or minimized until the 1970s, when her biographies and memoirs were published.

Franklin is now recognized as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a pioneer of molecular biology. She is honored by many awards, scholarships, and institutions named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a champion of integrity and excellence.

Lise Meitner

Lise Meitner was a brilliant physicist and a pioneer of nuclear physics who was born in 1878 in Austria. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in physics at the University of Vienna. She was the second woman to earn a PhD in physics there, and the first woman to become a full professor of physics in Germany.

Meitner worked with Otto Hahn, a chemist, on the study of radioactivity and nuclear fission. They discovered several new elements and isotopes, and explained the phenomenon of nuclear fission, which is the splitting of atoms into smaller ones, releasing huge amounts of energy. Their work laid the foundation for the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear power.

However, Meitner’s work was not appreciated or acknowledged by the scientific community, especially after she had to flee Nazi Germany in 1938, because of her Jewish ancestry. She continued her research in Sweden, but was isolated and marginalized. Hahn claimed most of the credit for their discoveries, and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944, without mentioning Meitner’s contributions.

Meitner was deeply hurt and disappointed by Hahn’s betrayal, and by the misuse of nuclear fission for destructive purposes. She refused to work on the atomic bomb project, and advocated for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. She also tried to promote the recognition and advancement of women in science.

Meitner retired in 1960, after a long and distinguished career of over 60 years. She received many honors and awards, such as the Max Planck Medal, the Enrico Fermi Award, and the Otto Hahn Prize. She died in 1968, at the age of 89. She is now recognized as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as the “mother of the atomic bomb”. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and elements named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in physics, and as a champion of ethics and responsibility in science.

Gertrude B. Elion

Gertrude B. Elion was a brilliant biochemist and pharmacologist who was born in 1918 in New York. She was inspired by her grandfather’s death from cancer to pursue a career in medical research. She studied chemistry at Hunter College and New York University, where she faced many challenges and rejections as a woman in science.

Elion joined the Burroughs Wellcome Company (now GlaxoSmithKline) in 1944, where she worked with George Hitchings, a chemist, on the development of new drugs. They used a novel approach of rational drug design, which involved studying the biochemical differences between normal and diseased cells, and designing molecules that could interfere with the disease-causing processes.

Elion and Hitchings discovered and developed many effective and life-saving drugs, such as 6-mercaptopurine, the first drug to treat leukemia; azathioprine, the first drug to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients; allopurinol, a drug to treat gout and kidney stones; acyclovir, a drug to treat viral infections such as herpes and shingles; and trimethoprim, a drug to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

Elion retired from Burroughs Wellcome in 1983, but continued to consult and advise on various projects. She received many honors and awards, such as the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the National Medal of Science, and the Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award. She died in 1999, at the age of 81. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a pioneer of drug discovery and development. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and prizes named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in chemistry and medicine, and as a humanitarian and a mentor.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a brilliant physicist and chemist who was born in 1867 in Poland. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in physics and mathematics at the University of Paris. She was the first woman to earn a PhD in physics there, and the first woman to become a professor of physics in France.

Curie worked with her husband, Pierre Curie, a physicist, on the study of radioactivity, which is the spontaneous emission of radiation from certain elements. They discovered two new radioactive elements, polonium and radium, and coined the term radioactivity. They also measured the intensity and the nature of the radiation, and investigated its effects on matter and living organisms.

Curie and her husband shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, along with Henri Becquerel, who had discovered the phenomenon of radioactivity. Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes, when she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911, for her work on radioactivity and the isolation of pure radium.

Curie also applied her knowledge of radioactivity to the field of medicine, especially during World War I, when she developed mobile X-ray units to help diagnose and treat wounded soldiers. She also founded the Radium Institute, which later became the Curie Institute, a center of research and treatment for cancer and other diseases.

Curie died in 1934, at the age of 66, from leukemia caused by exposure to radiation. She was a pioneer of nuclear physics and chemistry, and a humanitarian and a philanthropist. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a hero of humanity.

Inge Lehmann

Inge Lehmann was a brilliant seismologist and geophysicist who was born in 1888 in Denmark. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in mathematics and physics at the University of Copenhagen and the University of Cambridge. She was the first woman to earn a degree in geodesy, which is the science of measuring and representing the Earth.

Lehmann worked as the head of the seismological department of the Geodetic Institute of Denmark, where she studied the seismic waves generated by earthquakes and explosions. She used these waves to infer the structure and composition of the Earth’s interior, especially the core.

Lehmann made a groundbreaking discovery in 1936, when she observed that some seismic waves, called P-waves, were detected at locations where they were expected to be blocked by the core. She hypothesized that the core was not a single solid or liquid sphere, but had two layers: an inner core and an outer core. She published her findings in a paper titled “P’ “, which revolutionized the field of geophysics.

Lehmann also contributed to the understanding of other aspects of the Earth’s structure, such as the crust, the mantle, and the discontinuities between them. She also collaborated with many scientists from different countries, and participated in various international organizations and projects.

Lehmann retired in 1953, but continued to research and publish until the age of 99. She received many honors and awards, such as the William Bowie Medal, the Emil Wiechert Medal, and the Lehmann Medal, which was named after her. She died in 1993, at the age of 104. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as the “grand dame of seismology”. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and features named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in geosciences, and as a pioneer and a legend.

Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace was a brilliant mathematician and the first computer programmer who was born in 1815 in England. She was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron and the mathematician Anne Isabella Milbanke. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in mathematics and logic under the guidance of various tutors.

Lovelace met Charles Babbage, a mathematician and inventor, in 1833, and became fascinated by his project of building a mechanical computer, called the Analytical Engine. She translated and annotated a paper by Luigi Menabrea, an Italian engineer, about the design and operation of the machine. She also added her own notes, which were longer than the original paper, and contained several examples of how the machine could perform different calculations and tasks.

Lovelace’s notes included the first algorithm designed to be executed by a machine, which was a method to calculate the Bernoulli numbers, a sequence of numbers related to number theory and calculus. She also foresaw the potential of the machine to go beyond arithmetic, and to manipulate symbols, images, and music. She also speculated about the possibility of artificial intelligence, and the limits of human and machine capabilities.

Lovelace’s paper was published in 1843, under the initials A.A.L., and was largely ignored or misunderstood by the scientific community. Her work was rediscovered and appreciated in the 20th century, when the field of computer science emerged. She was recognized as the first computer programmer, and as a visionary of computing.

Lovelace died in 1852, at the age of 36, from uterine cancer. She was a pioneer of mathematics and computing, and a role model for women in science. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of creativity and innovation.

Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Jocelyn Bell Burnell was a brilliant astronomer and astrophysicist who was born in 1943 in Northern Ireland. She was interested in science and astronomy from a young age, and pursued her education in physics at the University of Glasgow and the University of Cambridge. She was one of the few women to study and work in astronomy at that time.

Bell Burnell worked with Antony Hewish, a radio astronomer, on the construction and operation of a large radio telescope, which was designed to study the interplanetary scintillation of quasars, which are very bright and distant objects in the sky. She was responsible for analyzing the data from the telescope, which involved examining miles of paper charts.

Bell Burnell made a groundbreaking discovery in 1967, when she noticed a regular and fast pulsing signal in the data, which she dubbed as “Little Green Man 1” or LGM-1, as a joke. She and Hewish realized that the signal was not from an alien civilization, but from a new type of star, which they called a pulsar. A pulsar is a rapidly rotating neutron star, which emits beams of radiation from its magnetic poles. They detected the first four pulsars, and opened a new window to the universe.

Bell Burnell and Hewish published their findings in 1968, and received worldwide acclaim and attention. However, Bell Burnell was not given the credit or the recognition she deserved for her work, and was overshadowed by Hewish and other male astronomers. Hewish shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974, along with Martin Ryle, another radio astronomer, for their work on pulsars and radio astronomy. Bell Burnell was excluded from the prize, and was not even mentioned in the citation.

Bell Burnell continued her research and career in astronomy, and worked on various topics, such as neutron stars, supernovae, cosmology, and astrobiology. She also worked as a professor and a director of several institutions, such as the Open University, the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, and the Institute of Physics. She trained and mentored many students and researchers, and encouraged more women and minorities to pursue astronomy.

Bell Burnell retired in 2010, but remained active and involved in various projects and activities. She received many honors and awards, such as the Royal Medal, the Herschel Medal, and the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. She donated the money from the Breakthrough Prize to fund scholarships for underrepresented groups in physics. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a pioneer and a leader of astronomy. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and features named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a champion of diversity and inclusion.

Barbara McClintock

Barbara McClintock was a brilliant geneticist and botanist who was born in 1902 in Connecticut. She was interested in science and nature from a young age, and pursued her education in botany and genetics at Cornell University. She earned her PhD in 1927, and then worked as a research fellow and a professor at various institutions, such as the University of Missouri and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

McClintock worked on the study of maize, or corn, and its chromosomes, which are the structures that carry the genetic information. She developed several techniques and methods to observe and manipulate the chromosomes, and to map the genes on them. She also discovered several phenomena and concepts that were fundamental to the field of genetics, such as crossing over, translocation, inversion, and ring chromosomes.

McClintock made a groundbreaking discovery in 1944, when she observed that some genes on the chromosomes could move from one location to another, and affect the expression of other genes. She called these genes “controlling elements” or “transposons”, and showed that they were responsible for the variation and adaptation of maize. She also proposed that these genes could be activated or silenced by environmental factors, such as stress or radiation.

McClintock’s work was not appreciated or understood by the scientific community, who dismissed or ignored her findings. She was also isolated and marginalized as a woman in science, and faced many challenges and barriers in her career. She stopped publishing her work on transposons in 1953, and focused on other aspects of maize genetics.

McClintock’s work was rediscovered and validated in the 1960s and 1970s, when molecular biology and DNA technology confirmed the existence and function of transposons, not only in maize, but also in bacteria, animals, and humans. She was recognized as a pioneer and a visionary of genetics, and received many honors and awards, such as the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the National Medal of Science, and the Albert Lasker Award. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine unshared, and the third woman to win the Nobel Prize in science.

McClintock died in 1992, at the age of 90, after a long and distinguished career of over 60 years. She was a pioneer of genetics and botany, and a role model for women in science. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and prizes named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of creativity and curiosity.

Chien-Shiung Wu

Chien-Shiung Wu was a brilliant physicist and a pioneer of nuclear physics who was born in 1912 in China. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in physics at the National Central University and the University of California, Berkeley. She earned her PhD in 1940, and then worked as a research associate and a professor at various institutions, such as Princeton University and Columbia University.

Wu worked on various aspects of nuclear physics, such as beta decay, nuclear fission, and nuclear spectroscopy. She made important contributions and discoveries that advanced the field of physics, such as the Wu experiment, the Manhattan Project, and the Standard Model.

Wu’s most famous achievement was the Wu experiment, which she conducted in 1956, at the request of two theoretical physicists, Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang. They had proposed that the law of parity conservation, which states that the laws of physics are the same for mirror images, might not hold for weak interactions, which are one of the four fundamental forces of nature. They asked Wu to test their hypothesis experimentally, using cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope that undergoes beta decay, which is a type of weak interaction.

Wu designed and performed a meticulous and ingenious experiment, which involved cooling the cobalt-60 atoms to near absolute zero, and applying a strong magnetic field to align their spins. She then measured the direction and the polarization of the electrons emitted by the atoms, and compared them with their mirror images. She found that the electrons were preferentially emitted in the opposite direction of the spin, which violated the law of parity conservation. She also found that the electrons had a negative polarization, which contradicted the prediction of the existing theory of beta decay.

Wu’s experiment was a landmark in the history of physics, as it proved that the weak interactions were not symmetrical, and that the parity was not a conserved quantity. It also led to the revision of the theory of beta decay, and the development of the Standard Model, which is the most comprehensive and accurate description of the elementary particles and their interactions.

Wu’s work was not appreciated or acknowledged by the scientific community, especially after Lee and Yang won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957, for their theoretical prediction of parity violation. Wu was not included in the prize, and was not even mentioned in the citation. She was also overlooked and discriminated against as a woman and an immigrant in science, and faced many challenges and barriers in her career.

Wu continued her research and career in physics, and worked on various topics, such as the molecular changes in sickle cell anemia, the conservation of the axial vector current, and the double beta decay. She also worked as a professor and a director of several institutions, such as Columbia University, the Smith College, and the National Academy of Sciences. She trained and mentored many students and researchers, and encouraged more women and minorities to pursue physics.

Wu retired in 1981, but remained active and involved in various projects and activities. She received many honors and awards, such as the National Medal of Science, the Wolf Prize in Physics, and the Comstock Prize in Physics. She died in 1997, at the age of 84. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as the “First Lady of Physics”. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and features named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a pioneer and a legend.

Dorothy Hodgkin

Dorothy Hodgkin was a brilliant chemist and a pioneer of X-ray crystallography who was born in 1910 in Egypt. She was interested in science and chemistry from a young age, and pursued her education in chemistry at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. She earned her PhD in 1937, and then worked as a research fellow and a professor at various institutions, such as the University of Oxford and the Royal Institution.

Hodgkin worked on the study of the structure and function of complex molecules, such as proteins, hormones, and vitamins, using X-ray crystallography. This is a technique that involves shooting X-rays at a crystal of the molecule, and analyzing the pattern of the scattered rays to deduce the shape and arrangement of the atoms. She developed and improved the methods and the equipment for this technique, and solved many challenging and important problems.

Hodgkin made several groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to the field of biochemistry, such as the structure of cholesterol, penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin. She also worked on the structure of insulin, which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and is essential for life. She spent over 30 years on this project, and finally revealed the structure of insulin in 1969, which was a major achievement and a milestone for medicine.

Hodgkin also applied her knowledge of chemistry to the field of archaeology, and helped to identify and date ancient artifacts and materials, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nefertiti Bust. She also participated in various social and humanitarian causes, such as the peace movement, the disarmament campaign, and the promotion of science education and cooperation.

Hodgkin retired in 1977, but continued to research and publish until the age of 84. She received many honors and awards, such as the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Order of Merit, and the Copley Medal. She was the first British woman to win the Nobel Prize in science, and the only woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry unshared. She died in 1994, at the age of 84. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a pioneer and a leader of biochemistry. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and prizes named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a humanitarian and a diplomat.

Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey was a brilliant zoologist and primatologist who was born in 1932 in California. She was interested in animals and nature from a young age, and pursued her education in occupational therapy at San Jose State College. She worked as an occupational therapist for several years, before deciding to follow her passion for wildlife.

Fossey traveled to Africa in 1963, where she met Louis Leakey, a famous paleontologist and anthropologist, who encouraged her to study the mountain gorillas, which are a rare and endangered species of great apes. She agreed, and became one of the “Leakey’s Angels”, along with Jane Goodall and Birutė Galdikas, who studied chimpanzees and orangutans, respectively.

Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda, where she lived and worked for 18 years, observing and documenting the behavior, ecology, and social structure of the gorillas. She also developed a close and trusting relationship with them, and gave them names and personalities. She learned to communicate with them, and to imitate their sounds and gestures. She also defended them from poachers, farmers, and tourists, who threatened their survival and habitat.

Fossey made several groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to the field of primatology, such as the gorillas’ diet, reproduction, vocalization, and intelligence. She also challenged the stereotypes and myths about the gorillas, such as their being violent and aggressive, and showed that they were gentle, peaceful, and complex creatures. She also raised awareness and funds for their conservation and protection.

Fossey also wrote a book, Gorillas in the Mist, which was published in 1983, and became a bestseller and a classic of natural history. The book was also adapted into a film, starring Sigourney Weaver, in 1988.

Fossey’s work was not appreciated or supported by the local authorities and the public, who saw her as a foreigner and an intruder. She also faced many dangers and difficulties, such as civil wars, diseases, and attacks. She was murdered in 1985, at the age of 53, in her cabin at Karisoke, by unknown assailants, who were suspected to be poachers or their associates.

Fossey was a pioneer of zoology and primatology, and a hero of wildlife conservation. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a legend of the jungle.

Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson was a brilliant biologist and writer who was born in 1907 in Pennsylvania. She was interested in nature and literature from a young age, and pursued her education in biology and zoology at the Pennsylvania College for Women and the Johns Hopkins University. She earned her MA in 1932, and then worked as a marine biologist and a writer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Carson wrote several books and articles about the beauty and the wonder of the natural world, such as Under the Sea-Wind, The Sea Around Us, and The Edge of the Sea. She also wrote for popular magazines, such as The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly, and reached a wide and diverse audience. She was praised for her poetic and scientific style, and for her ability to communicate complex and important ideas to the public.

Carson’s most famous and influential book was Silent Spring, which was published in 1962, and exposed the harmful effects of pesticides, especially DDT, on the environment and human health. She documented how these chemicals were killing birds, fish, insects, and plants, and disrupting the balance of nature. She also warned how these chemicals were accumulating in the food chain, and causing cancer and other diseases in humans.

Carson’s book was a landmark in the history of environmentalism, as it sparked a public outcry and a political debate over the use and regulation of pesticides. It also inspired the creation of various environmental organizations and movements, such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Earth Day. It also influenced the passage of several environmental laws and policies, such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Carson died in 1964, at the age of 56, from breast cancer, which was possibly linked to her exposure to pesticides. She was a pioneer of biology and environmentalism, and a role model for women in science. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of courage and conscience.

Lorna Simpson (art)

Lorna Simpson is a brilliant artist and photographer who was born in 1960 in New York. She was interested in art and photography from a young age, and pursued her education in photography and visual arts at the School of Visual Arts and the University of California, San Diego. She earned her MFA in 1985, and then worked as an artist and a teacher at various institutions, such as the Yale University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Simpson works with various media, such as photography, video, collage, and installation, to create powerful and provocative artworks that explore the themes of identity, race, gender, and history. She often uses text, images, and objects to create complex and layered narratives that challenge the stereotypes and assumptions about black women and their experiences. She also questions the conventions and the limitations of photography and representation, and invites the viewers to interpret and participate in her works.

Simpson has created several groundbreaking and influential artworks, such as Guarded Conditions, which depicts a black woman with a gun and a fire extinguisher, and addresses the issues of violence and survival; Necklines, which shows the backs of the necks of black women with different hairstyles, and comments on the politics of hair and beauty; and 1957-2009, which recreates a photograph of a young black girl holding a white baby doll, and reflects on the impact of racism and sexism on childhood and adulthood.

Simpson has exhibited her works in many prestigious venues, such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Venice Biennale. She has also received many honors and awards, such as the MacArthur Fellowship, the Whitney Museum Award, and the International Center of Photography Infinity Award. She is one of the most acclaimed and influential contemporary artists, and a role model for women and minorities in art. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and fellowships named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of creativity and expression.

Evelyn Boyd Granville

Evelyn Boyd Granville was a brilliant mathematician and computer scientist who was born in 1924 in Washington, D.C. She was interested in mathematics and astronomy from a young age, and pursued her education in mathematics and physics at Smith College and Yale University. She earned her PhD in 1949, and became one of the first African American women to earn a PhD in mathematics.

Granville worked as a mathematician and a computer programmer for various organizations and projects, such as the National Bureau of Standards, the IBM Corporation, and the U.S. Space Technology Laboratories. She developed and implemented various algorithms and software for the analysis and simulation of rocket trajectories, satellite orbits, and space missions. She also taught mathematics and computer science at various institutions, such as the Fisk University, the California State University, and the Texas College.

Granville made significant contributions and achievements in the fields of mathematics and computer science, and inspired generations of students and researchers. She also participated in various social and educational causes, such as the enhancement of mathematics education for minorities and women, and the promotion of science and technology careers for young people.

Granville retired in 1997, but remained active and involved in various projects and activities. She received many honors and awards, such as the National Association of Mathematicians Distinguished Service Award, the Yale Graduate School Alumni Association Medal of Honor, and the Smith College Medal. She is one of the most accomplished and influential women in STEM, and a role model for women and minorities in mathematics and computer science. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and prizes named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of excellence and perseverance.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was a brilliant aviator and adventurer who was born in 1897 in Kansas. She was interested in flying and exploring from a young age, and pursued her education in nursing and medicine at the Columbia University and the Harvard University. She also learned to fly at the Kinner Field near Long Beach, and earned her pilot’s license in 1923.

Earhart worked as a pilot and a writer, and set many records and broke many barriers as a female aviator. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, both as a passenger and as a solo pilot. She was also the first woman to fly across the Pacific Ocean, both from Hawaii to California and from California to Mexico. She was also the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to Oakland, and the first person to fly solo from Los Angeles to Mexico City.

Earhart also wrote several books and articles about her flights and adventures, such as 20 Hrs., 40 Min., The Fun of It, and Last Flight. She also wrote for popular magazines, such as Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar, and reached a wide and diverse audience. She was praised for her courage, skill, and charm, and for her ability to communicate her passion and vision to the public.

Earhart also participated in various social and humanitarian causes, such as the women’s rights movement, the peace movement, and the promotion of aviation and education for women and children. She also founded and led various organizations and clubs, such as the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of female pilots, and the Amelia Earhart Foundation, a scholarship fund for women in aviation.

Earhart’s most famous and mysterious adventure was her attempt to fly around the world in 1937, with her navigator Fred Noonan. She completed most of the journey, but disappeared over the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island, where she was supposed to land and refuel. She was never seen or heard from again, and her fate remains unknown. There are many theories and speculations about what happened to her, such as crashing into the ocean, landing on a remote island, being captured by the Japanese, or living under a different identity.

Earhart was a pioneer of aviation and exploration, and a role model for women in science. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of adventure and freedom.

Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison was a brilliant astronaut and physician who was born in 1956 in Alabama. She was interested in science and space from a young age, and pursued her education in chemical engineering and medicine at the Stanford University and the Cornell University. She earned her MD in 1981, and then worked as a medical officer and a Peace Corps volunteer in various countries, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cambodia.

Jemison joined the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1987, where she trained and worked as a mission specialist and a science mission specialist. She was the first African American woman to be selected as an astronaut, and the first African American woman to travel to space. She flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992, as part of the STS-47 mission, which was a joint venture between NASA and the Japanese Space Agency. She conducted various experiments and investigations on the Spacelab-J module, which was a laboratory for microgravity research.

Jemison also worked on various projects and programs related to space exploration and science education, such as the 100 Year Starship, which is an initiative to develop the technology and the vision for interstellar travel; the Earth We Share, which is an international science camp for students; and the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in Developing Countries, which is an organization that promotes the use and development of technology for social and economic development.

Jemison retired from NASA in 1993, but continued to research and teach at various institutions, such as the Dartmouth College, the Cornell University, and the Morehouse School of Medicine. She also wrote a book, Find Where the Wind Goes, which is a memoir of her life and career. She also appeared in various media and cultural platforms, such as the Star Trek: The Next Generation, the TED Talk, and the World Economic Forum.

Jemison received many honors and awards, such as the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the National Medical Association Hall of Fame, and the International Space Hall of Fame. She is one of the most accomplished and influential women in STEM, and a role model for women and minorities in science and space. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and features named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of excellence and exploration.

Radia Perlman

Radia Perlman was a brilliant computer scientist and engineer who was born in 1951 in Virginia. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in mathematics and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. She earned her PhD in 1988, and then worked as a researcher and a developer for various companies and organizations, such as the MIT, the DEC, the Sun Microsystems, and the Intel.

Perlman worked on various aspects of computer networking and security, such as routing, bridging, encryption, and authentication. She developed and implemented various algorithms and protocols that improved the performance, reliability, and scalability of the internet and other networks. She also wrote several books and papers about her work and the field of computer networking, such as Interconnections, Network Security, and Network Algorithmics.

Perlman’s most famous and influential invention was the spanning-tree protocol (STP), which she created in 1985, while working at the DEC. STP is a protocol that allows switches and bridges to communicate and cooperate with each other, and to create a loop-free and efficient network topology. STP is essential for the operation and the stability of the internet and other networks, and is widely used and adopted by various devices and vendors.

Perlman also invented and contributed to many other technologies and standards, such as the TRILL protocol, which is a protocol that enhances the performance and the flexibility of the network layer; the IS-IS protocol, which is a protocol that enables the routing of packets across different networks; the SPB protocol, which is a protocol that simplifies the configuration and management of networks; and the SUNAT protocol, which is a protocol that secures the communication and the authentication of network devices.

Perlman is one of the most accomplished and influential women in STEM, and a role model for women and minorities in computer science and engineering. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of innovation and excellence.

Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper was a brilliant computer scientist and a pioneer of programming who was born in 1906 in New York. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in mathematics and physics at the Vassar College and the Yale University. She earned her PhD in 1934, and then worked as a professor and a researcher at various institutions, such as the Vassar College and the Harvard University.

Hopper joined the U.S. Navy in 1943, where she worked as a computer programmer and a leader for various projects and programs related to computing and software. She was one of the first programmers of the Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III computers, which were some of the earliest and largest electromechanical computers. She also worked on the UNIVAC I, which was one of the first commercial and electronic computers.

Hopper’s most famous and influential invention was the first compiler, which she created in 1952, while working at the Remington Rand. A compiler is a program that translates the source code written by a programmer into the machine code that can be executed by a computer. Hopper’s compiler was a revolutionary and a visionary idea, as it enabled the development of higher-level and more user-friendly programming languages, such as COBOL, which Hopper also helped to design and standardize.

Hopper also invented and contributed to many other technologies and concepts, such as the debugging process, which is the process of finding and fixing errors in the software; the nanosecond, which is a unit of time that measures the speed of the computer; and the Grace Hopper Celebration, which is an annual conference that celebrates and supports women in computing.

Hopper retired from the Navy in 1986, but continued to work and teach at various institutions, such as the Digital Equipment Corporation and the George Washington University. She received many honors and awards, such as the National Medal of Technology, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She died in 1992, at the age of 85. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as the “Queen of Code”. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and features named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a legend of computing.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr was a brilliant inventor and actress who was born in 1914 in Austria. She was interested in science and art from a young age, and pursued her career in acting and modeling in Europe and Hollywood. She starred in several movies and films, such as Ecstasy, Algiers, and Samson and Delilah. She was praised for her beauty, talent, and charisma, and became one of the most popular and glamorous stars of her time.

Lamarr also had a passion for inventing and engineering, and worked on various projects and devices, such as a tablet that dissolved in water to make a carbonated drink, and an improved traffic light. She also applied her knowledge of science and technology to the field of defense and communication, especially during World War II, when she wanted to help the Allied forces against the Nazis.

Lamarr’s most famous and influential invention was the frequency-hopping technology, which she co-invented with George Antheil, a composer and a friend, in 1941. Frequency-hopping is a technique that involves changing the frequency of a signal, such as a radio or a phone, to avoid interference and jamming. Lamarr and Antheil used a piano roll to synchronize the frequency changes between the transmitter and the receiver, and designed a device that could be attached to a torpedo, to guide it to its target without being detected or blocked.

Lamarr and Antheil patented their invention, and offered it to the U.S. Navy, but it was rejected and ignored, as it was considered too complicated and impractical. Their patent expired in 1959, and their technology was not used until the 1960s, when it was adopted by the military for secure communication. Their technology also paved the way for the development of wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Lamarr’s work was not appreciated or acknowledged by the scientific community or the public, until the 1990s, when she was rediscovered and recognized as a pioneer and a visionary of communication technology. She received many honors and awards, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award, the BULBIE Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award, and the induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. She died in 2000, at the age of 85. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as the “Mother of Wi-Fi”. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and features named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of creativity and glamour.

Marie Maynard Daly

Marie Maynard Daly was a brilliant biochemist and a pioneer of molecular biology who was born in 1921 in New York. She was interested in science and chemistry from a young age, and pursued her education in chemistry and biochemistry at the Queens College, the New York University, and the Columbia University. She earned her PhD in 1947, and became the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemistry.

Daly worked as a biochemist and a professor at various institutions, such as the Rockefeller Institute, the Howard University, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She worked on various aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology, such as the metabolism, the proteins, and the nucleic acids. She made important contributions and discoveries that advanced the field of medicine and health, such as the synthesis of creatine, which is a compound that supplies energy to the muscles; the composition and function of histones, which are proteins that bind and regulate the DNA; and the effects of cholesterol, sugars, and cigarette smoke on the cardiovascular system and the risk of heart disease.

Daly also participated in various social and educational causes, such as the enhancement of science education and opportunities for minorities and women, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in science and medicine. She also founded and supported various organizations and programs, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Association of Science Writers, and the Marie M. Daly Science Scholarship Fund.

Daly retired in 1986, but remained active and involved in various projects and activities. She received many honors and awards, such as the American Chemical Society Award, the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, and the induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She died in 2003, at the age of 82. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a pioneer and a leader of biochemistry and molecular biology. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and prizes named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women and minorities in science and medicine.

Sally Ride

Sally Ride was a brilliant astronaut and physicist who was born in 1951 in California. She was interested in science and space from a young age, and pursued her education in physics and astrophysics at the Stanford University. She earned her PhD in 1978, and then joined the NASA Astronaut Corps, where she trained and worked as a mission specialist and a flight engineer.

Ride was the first American woman to travel to space, and the third woman overall, after Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Savitskaya of the Soviet Union. She flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983 and 1984, as part of the STS-7 and STS-41-G missions, respectively. She conducted various experiments and investigations on the Shuttle and the Spacelab, which was a laboratory for microgravity research. She also operated the robotic arm, which was used to deploy and retrieve satellites and other payloads.

Ride also worked on various projects and programs related to space exploration and science education, such as the Challenger Center, which is a network of learning centers that inspire and engage students in STEM; the EarthKAM, which is a program that allows students to take pictures of the Earth from space; and the Sally Ride Science, which is an organization that promotes and supports STEM education for girls and minorities.

Ride retired from NASA in 1987, but continued to research and teach at various institutions, such as the Stanford University, the University of California, San Diego, and the Space Institute. She also wrote several books and articles about her flights and adventures, such as To Space and Back, Voyager: An Adventure to the Edge of the Solar System, and The Mystery of Mars. She also appeared in various media and cultural platforms, such as the Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Jeopardy!, and the World Economic Forum.

Ride died in 2012, at the age of 61, from pancreatic cancer. She was a pioneer of physics and space, and a role model for women in science. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and awards named after her. She is also celebrated as a symbol of courage and curiosity.

Rosalyn Yalow

Rosalyn Yalow was a brilliant physicist and a pioneer of medical physics who was born in 1921 in New York. She was interested in science and mathematics from a young age, and pursued her education in physics and nuclear physics at the Hunter College and the University of Illinois. She earned her PhD in 1945, and then worked as a physicist and a professor at various institutions, such as the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Yalow worked on the study of the radioisotopes, which are atoms that emit radiation, and their applications to medicine and biology. She developed and improved various techniques and methods to measure and analyze the radioisotopes, and to use them as tracers and probes for various biological processes and substances.

Yalow’s most famous and influential invention was the radioimmunoassay (RIA), which she co-invented with Solomon Berson, a physician and a friend, in 1959. RIA is a technique that uses radioisotopes to detect and quantify very small amounts of hormones, enzymes, drugs, and other molecules in the blood and other fluids. RIA is a revolutionary and a versatile tool, as it enables the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, anemia, and cancer.

Yalow and Berson published their findings in 1960, and received worldwide acclaim and attention. However, Berson died in 1972, and was not eligible for the Nobel Prize, which was awarded to Yalow in 1977, along with Roger Guillemin and Andrew Schally, for their work on the hormones and the RIA. Yalow was the second woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and the first woman to win it unshared.

Yalow also contributed to the understanding and the improvement of other aspects of medicine and health, such as the insulin and the glucose metabolism, the growth hormone and the growth regulation, and the blood transfusion and the hepatitis. She also trained and mentored many students and researchers, and encouraged more women and minorities to pursue science and medicine.

Yalow retired in 1991, but continued to research and publish until the age of 88. She received many honors and awards, such as the National Medal of Science, the Albert Lasker Award, and the induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She died in 2011, at the age of 89. She is remembered as one of the greatest women in STEM, and as a pioneer and a leader of medical physics. She is honored by many institutions, scholarships, and prizes named after her. She is also celebrated as a role model for women in science, and as a humanitarian and a visionary.

Conclusion – Famous Women In STEM

In conclusion, the stories of Hypatia and Beatrice Shilling highlight the remarkable contributions of women in STEM fields throughout history. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including discrimination and limited opportunities, these women demonstrated extraordinary talent, perseverance, and dedication to their work.

Hypatia, a renowned mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher in ancient Alexandria, challenged societal norms and became a respected teacher and scholar. Her tragic death serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by women in male-dominated societies, yet her legacy endures as a symbol of wisdom and feminism.

Beatrice Shilling, an innovative engineer during World War II, revolutionized aircraft technology with her invention to improve the reliability of fighter planes. Despite encountering discrimination, her groundbreaking contributions played a crucial role in the Allied victory and paved the way for future generations of women in engineering.

These women’s stories serve as powerful reminders of the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in STEM, we can inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technologists to pursue their passions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and innovation. As we continue to strive for greater equity and representation in STEM, let us honor the legacies of Hypatia, Beatrice Shilling, and countless other women who have made indelible marks on the history and future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world where all individuals are empowered to pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions to society.