Arts & Culture

On February 11, 2023, the United Nations and scientists around the world celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Although the inclusion of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields has improved significantly in recent years, there is still a long way to go. According to the UN, women in STEM careers typically receive smaller research grants than their male colleagues and are more likely to be passed over for promotions. They are also less likely to be published in major research journals and are underrepresented at national science academies. 

While you may have heard of a few women scientists, like Marie Curie and Jane Goodall, there are so many other women who have contributed greatly to the sciences. In honour of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we encourage you to read about some of these scientists.

Lethal tides : Mary Sears and marine scientists who helped win World War II by Catherine Musemeche

During World War II, the United States was unprepared for waging an ocean war amongst the many islands in the Pacific. They turned to Mary Sears, a marine biologist who lead a team that studied the ocean currents, made tidal predictions and identified deep water areas for submarines. Though her name is mostly unknown today, her expertise was highly valued by the US Navy and she was frequently called upon during the war to make last minute decisions for top secret missions.  

Unbowed : a memoir by Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was a fiercely determined activist and scholar. Born in rural Kenya, she fought for her education and went on to earn a PhD in veterinary anatomy. Alongside her scholarly work, she founded the Green Belt Movement, an advocacy organization dedicated to environmental conservation and women's right. In her memoir, Maathai humbly documents her incredible life, including the moment in 2004 when she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Carbon queen : the remarkable life of nanoscience pioneer Mildred Dresselhaus by Maia Weinstock

Growing up in New York City in the 1940s, Mildred Dresselhaus was told she could be a nurse, a secretary or a teacher. But Millie had other ideas. Instead, she became an expert in the field of carbon nanoscience. She was one of the first women professors at MIT. She stayed there for nearly six decades, conducting groundbreaking research and earning both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Science. 

Letter to a young female physician : notes from a medical life by Suzanne Koven

Dr. Suzanne Koven's 2017 online essay "Letter to a Young Female Physician" went viral. Her experiences of imposter syndrome, sexism, pay inequality, and more resonated with other women in the medical profession. Now in book form, Dr. Koven shares more stories from her life as a female doctor, from being pregnant during the AIDS crisis to working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the glass ceiling to the stars : the story of the first American woman to command a space mission by Col. Eileen Collins

In her own words, Eileen Collins documents her career as a pioneer for women in aviation and space travel. She was one of the first women to become a pilot in the United States Air Force, and their first woman flight instructor. As a child, she secretly dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Not only did she achieve this goal, but was the first woman to command an American space mission and to pilot a space shuttle. 

Forgotten women : the scientists by Zing Tsjeng

As part of the Forgotten Women series, The Scientists features short biographies of 48 women scientists, many of whom have been overlooked in the history of science. Importantly, author Zing Tsjeng highlights the achievements of many women of colour, such as Ruby Hirose, a Japanese-American biochemist, as well as Fe del Mundo, a Filipina pediatrician, and Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American particle physicist. 

Power in numbers : the rebel women of mathematics by Talithia Williams

Much like in the broader scientific community, the involvement of women in mathematics is mostly forgotten or ignored. In a collection of short biographies, Talithia Williams traces the history of women mathematicians. She features early pioneers, such as the 18th century Chinese mathematician Wang Zhenyi, as well as more recent scholars, including Trachette Jackson, who uses mathematical modeling to advance cancer research. 

Mathematics for ladies : poems on women in science by Jessy Randall

As if to prove that science and art are not mutually exclusive, Jessy Randall brings us a series of hilarious and heartfelt poems about women in science. Mathematics for Ladies is a fun and fact-filled way to learn about well-known women scientists, like Marie Curie, and those whose achievements have been largely overlooked, such as Mexican-American botanist Ynés Mexia.

Is there a woman scientist that has inspired you? Tell us in the comments below.