Breaking boundaries: Women in science who changed the world
For a long time, women have been underrepresented in science fields. However, many women have paved the way in creating new discoveries, theories, and groundbreaking inventions. Despite the social barriers and prejudices against them, these women persevered and have made significant contributions to the field of science. Here are some of the women who broke boundaries and changed the world of science.
Marie Curie, who was a physicist and chemist, is known for her pioneering work on radioactivity. In 1903, she won the Nobel Prize in Physics, becoming the first woman to ever win the prize. She later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, making her the first person, and to this day, the only woman to win two Nobel Prizes in different science fields. Her work led to the development of X-rays and radiotherapy, which have been used in cancer treatment.
Another trailblazer was Rosalind Franklin, whose research led to the discovery of the structure of DNA. Franklin studied crystallography and was able to produce high quality images of DNA, which helped James Watson and Francis Crick develop the double helix model. Unfortunately, she died before she could share in the Nobel Prize awarded to Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins.
Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who calculated trajectories for NASA’s first manned space mission in 1961. Johnson’s calculations were critical in Alan Shepard’s historic flight into space, and later John Glenn’s first human orbit of Earth. Her contributions to space exploration paved the way for women in science and technology.
Finally, we have Jane Goodall, who redefined how we view primates and their relationship with humans. She spent years in Tanzania living among chimpanzees, observing and documenting their behavior. Her work changed the way we understand chimpanzees and their role in evolution. She also raised global awareness about wildlife conservation and the need to protect natural habitats.
These women, amongst many others, have made significant contributions to science despite the many obstacles they faced. They have proven that with passion, hard work, and perseverance, women are capable of making groundbreaking discoveries and changing the world of science. It’s important to continue promoting and supporting women’s involvement in science to ensure that we reap the benefits of their contributions.
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