by Janet Z. Li
Graphic design by Jo Choi
Every year, on February 11th, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science; a day implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with UN-Women to promote the role of women and girls in scientific fields and recognize those already successful in the field.1 In certain areas of the world, the ratio of women to men in STEM careers is as high as 43%, such is the case of the employees in the European Union.2 Despite a couple of outlier ratios, in the vast majority of workforce populations, women are still likely to make up less than 25% of their industries.2 In the last decade, the number of women enrolling in STEM programs at universities has increased, with provinces like Ontario quoting up to an 8% raise since the early 2010s.3 We owe much of this positive trajectory to pioneering women from decades past and present who have proved that women are marking remarkable strides, shattering the glass ceiling, and redefining the boundaries of what is possible. Scientists such as Marie Curie and Drs. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, but also tech titans like Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube, have inspired a generation of girls to pursue their STEM dreams and ambitions.
While strides have been made, the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is still a persistent issue that frequently gets dismissed. Adversities that women encounter in STEM, from gender bias and work-life balance challenges to lack of representation in leadership roles, continue to impede their career progressions. The most vocalized issue of this topic is gender bias, encompassing but-topics such as hiring bias, promotion bias, and unequal pay. Studies show that 34% of women were more likely to state that STEM positions are “hard to understand” when compared to men’s responses.4 Accordingly, less than a quarter of young women describe technology-based courses as their favorite subjects in school, and males are significantly more likely to say that they believe they would excel in a STEM job following school.4 To further the gap, added pressure comes from expectations that are placed upon these women when stepping into what society deems as ‘prestigious’ and ‘technical’ jobs. The ‘confidence gap’ –where women with a fondness for STEM fields are discouraged or lose interest– is widening despite improvement in other aspects of this fight for equality.4,5 In general, many girls lose confidence in their math abilities by third grade, and this disparity only becomes stronger when factoring in additional aspects such as race and sociodemographic background.4 While women of Asian background have seen a small but visible increase of representation over the years, Black and Hispanic female workers remain severely underrepresented in the STEM workforce.6
A transformation of STEM careers is underway. Many think of it as a top-to-bottom trickle-down effect, suggesting that change in leaders of the field–the role models of future generations–is the ideal kickstart to rebranding these fields as a whole.4 Here are a few standouts whose work over the years has provided the hopes and dreams of countless women, despite nominal mainstream recognition:7
Katherine Johnson, NASA Space Scientist
In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her lifetime’s work in physics, math, and space research. Katherine was, and still is, one of very few African American women to be recognized for her ground-breaking work in a STEM-related field.
Radio Perlman, Mother of the Internet
Computer scientist from MIT, she developed the algorithm behind the Spanning Tree Protocol, a innovation that provides the basis for the eventual development of today’s Internet. Colleagues described her as quiet and determined, a shining example of how hard work could lead to breakthrough a success in a fast-paced industry.
Florence Nightingale, Lady with the Lamp
During the Crimean War, she was credited for singlehandedly reducing the death rate from 42% down to 2% as a nurse. Not only was she well-known for her in-field medical skills, but she was also a renowned statistician and systems designer. Her proportional pie chart format is still used today as the Diagram of the Causes of Mortality.
Adriana Ocampo, Planetary Geologist
Dr. Ocampo has been named one of the 50 most Important Women in Science for her work with NASA, including but not limited to the Juno mission to Jupiter and the New Horizons mission to Pluto.
Tu YouYou, Nobel Prize Malariologist
The first Chinese woman to win a science-based Nobel Prize, and without a doctorate, medical degree, or training abroad, she is a beacon of inspiration amongst young women around the world. Her background in Chinese medicine served as a integral part of her artemisinin combination therapy against malaria.
Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM
Since 2012, she has been the CEO of the multinational technology company IBM bringing a new tech-savvy front to the company with her systems engineering background. She’s been described as inspirational and dedicated by those around her, and her famous philosophy of “leading with good power” is also a top selling book.8
Barbara McClintock, Nobel Prize Geneticist
One of few women to have received by herself a Nobel Prize for Medicine to commemorate her discovery of genetic material being fluid. Her feminist perspectives and mindset regarding science being open ended and unresolved are also well known amongst the STEM community.
Women continue to overcome adversities and transcend in STEM careers, driving innovation and progress every day. As we continue to acknowledge and address the challenges faced by women in STEM, society can create more equitable environments where all individuals, regardless of sex, can thrive. Leaders and the greater community at large both need to foster inclusive workspaces, challenge stereotypes, and provide strong support systems to better empower women in STEM. The trailblazing work of many women of the past has paved the way for future generations of young women and underrepresented minorities to excel in careers that they love. Beyoncé was right; girls do in fact run the world, and it’s our time shine.
IMS Magazine 