The 2016 film Hidden Figures told the real-life stories of three Black American women scientists. Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan propelled NASA’s first astronaut John Glenn into orbit in 1962.
How’s this for a pinch of ironical salt? When the space agency acquired computers from IBM, computer programming was deemed a woman’s job because men believed their calculations were superior to computers.
More than 50 years later the gender gap in STEM research remains. The disparities are largely due to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics being dominated by men.
Imagine being a woman in a room full of men. Day in and day out, your capabilities and your expertise are being questioned. It’s humiliating and intimidating.
Unesco’s 2024 GEM Gender Report showed that women only made up 35% of STEM graduates, revealing no progress had been made over the past ten years.
The STEM Gender Gap
Every year, the Gallup and Walton Family Foundation releases its Voices of Gen Z Survey.
In the 2024 edition, 63% of female high school students said they were somewhat interested in a career in the STEM sector. This was in comparison to 85% of their male counterparts.
The survey also mentioned that STEM opportunities for women in computer science were underrepresented. While experts agree that more should be done to increase diversity and representation in STEM, enough barriers aren’t being removed.
Inspiring Role Models
One of Dorothy Vaughan’s most memorable quotes was, “What I changed, I could; what I couldn't, I endured.” It encapsulated the mathematician’s unyielding spirit in the face of adversity.
Marginalized women need role models to inspire and influence them to take a seat at the table. Below is a list of women who made strides in their respective STEM fields.
Gladys West
Dr Gladys West is the scientist behind what we call GPS. She helped develop mathematical modeling in the shape of the Earth. Her work was the foundation for global positioning system technology.
Dr West joined the US Navy shortly after completing her degree in Mathematics from Virginia State College. She was among a group of women who did computing for the U.S. military during the Cold War.
Despite being at the forefront of GPS technology, Dr West said during an interview that she still uses a paper map when driving.
Jennifer Doudna
Biochemist Jennifer Doudna won a Nobel Prize for her enormous contribution towards Crispr. The molecular tool is used by scientists to edit genetic material.
The gene-editing innovation has paved the way for sickle cell disease therapy. And while the Crispr has been saving lives, it’s still inaccessible for millions who need it. WIRED reported that costs could run into over $1 million for one patient.
The founder of the Innovative Genomics Institute hopes her research can make the technology more affordable. She told WIRED that she’s optimistic that treatment can one day be administered as a pill. Even though the technique sounds far-fetched, Doudna said, “it’s very achievable.”
Ann Makosinski
Canadian-born Ann Makosinski was only 16 when she made global headline news. Using her passion for tinkering with toys, she came up with a real-world solution to sustainable energy. Makosinski invented a flashlight powered by thermal energy to generate electricity.
Because of her ingenious creation, tech companies started taking note of her, garnering her awards and accolades. The most notable was winning the 2013 Google Science Fair. She also made it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy List.
Makosinski has now focused her attention on climate change. She invented a line of toys to teach kids about renewable energy. Among her other endeavors, she’s advocating for young girls to pursue their passions, no matter their age.
Eileen Ryan
Astronomer Eileen Ryan manages the Magdelina Ridge Observatory in New Mexico. One of a handful of women in her field, Ryan oversees the facility, from the science around the telescope to maintaining it.
She told KOAT7 Action News that when she was in kindergarten, she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. When she said scientist or astronaut, her teacher told her they were not acceptable careers for women.
Ryan is currently working on tracking a near-Earth asteroid named Apophis. Thanks in part to her work on the project, scientists estimate Earth is in no danger from Apophis for the next 100 years.
STEM opportunities for young women are still few and far between. The tide is slowly turning. Debunking gender stereotypes and providing equal pathways can close the gap in STEM education and careers.
The World Economic Forum believes mentorship programs starting from school could help foster more interest in STEM careers for women. Companies can inspire high school girls to pursue their dreams by highlighting role models who have overcome adversity.
Leave a Reply