The Hidden Figures: Women in STEM Erased by History
Did you know that countless brilliant women have made groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for many years. Yet, time and again, their achievements have been overshadowed, unrecognised, or outright stolen by their male counterparts — a phenomenon so prevalent it's been dubbed the Matilda Effect. Let's delve into some of these stories, shedding light on the unsung heroines of STEM.
1. Rosalind Franklin and the DNA Double Helix
When we think of DNA's structure, James Watson and Francis Crick often come to mind. However, it was Rosalind Franklin's meticulous X-ray diffraction images that provided the critical evidence for the double helix model. Despite her pivotal role, Franklin's contributions were largely overlooked during her lifetime, and she was not included in the Nobel Prize awarded for the discovery.
2. Lise Meitner and Nuclear Fission
Austrian physicist Lise Meitner played a crucial role in discovering nuclear fission. Collaborating with Otto Hahn, she provided the theoretical explanation for the process. Yet, when Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for this discovery, Meitner was conspicuously absent from the accolades.
3. Nettie Stevens and the XY Chromosome
Geneticist Nettie Stevens was the first to discover that an organism's sex is determined by its chromosomes, specifically identifying the XY chromosome pattern in males. Unfortunately, her groundbreaking work was overshadowed by her male contemporaries, and she didn't receive the recognition she deserved during her lifetime.
4. Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Pulsars
As a graduate student, Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967. This monumental finding led to a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974—but the award went to her male supervisor, Antony Hewish, excluding Bell Burnell.
5. The Harvard Computers and Stellar Classification
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a group of women known as the “Harvard Computers” cataloged thousands of stars, leading to the development of the stellar classification system. Despite their significant contributions, these women, including Williamina Fleming and Annie Jump Cannon, received little recognition, while their male supervisor, Edward Charles Pickering, took the credit.
6. Martha Goddard and the Rape Kit
Martha “Marty” Goddard developed the first sexual assault evidence collection kit, commonly known as the rape kit, in the 1970s. Despite her pivotal role, the credit was given to a male colleague, and her contributions remained unrecognized for decades.
7. The Code Girls of World War II
During World War II, over 10,000 women, known as the “Code Girls,” served as cryptographers and cryptanalysts for the U.S. military. Their efforts were crucial in breaking enemy codes, yet their contributions remained classified and unrecognized for decades. At Bletchley Park in Britain, by 1945, 75% of the staff were women employed as codebreakers.
8. Isabelle Stone and Thin Films
Physicist Isabelle Stone was a pioneer in the study of thin films and one of the first women to earn a Ph.D. in physics in the United States. Despite her significant contributions, she faced numerous challenges in a male-dominated field and did not receive the recognition she deserved.
9. The Harem Effect in Victorian Science
In the Victorian era, some male scientists employed numerous female assistants, benefiting from their labor while denying them proper acknowledgment—a practice known as the “Harem Effect.” These women conducted meticulous calculations and data processing, yet their contributions were often attributed to their male supervisors.
10. The Matilda Effect
Coined by historian Margaret W. Rossiter in 1993, the “Matilda Effect” describes the systematic suppression and denial of women's contributions to science, attributing their work to male colleagues. This bias has led to the historical erasure of many female scientists' achievements. It was named after suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826-1898), who used her column in The National Citizen newspaper to publicise the work of important yet forgotten women.
The Modern-Day Erasure of Women in STEM
Alarmingly, the erasure of women in STEM isn't just a relic of the past. In today's right-wing political climate, there's a resurgence of actions undermining women's contributions. A stark example is the recent removal of bios of prominent women scientists from NASA's website. Rose Ferreira (@rose_d_luna), a dedicated scientist who overcame significant challenges to contribute to space exploration, had her biography removed due to directives aimed at eliminating content about women in STEM. This action not only disrespects the individual achievements of these women but also sends a discouraging message to future generations of female scientists.
These stories highlight a persistent issue in the STEM fields: the erasure and overshadowing of women's contributions. Recognizing and rectifying these historical and contemporary injustices is crucial not only for honoring these pioneering women but also for inspiring future generations of women in STEM.
You can take several meaningful actions to help prevent the continued erasure of women in STEM and support their contributions. Here’s how:
1. Raise Awareness & Share Their Stories
- Share articles, books, and documentaries about women in STEM erased by history.
- Follow and amplify the voices of women in STEM on social media (e.g., Rose Ferreira, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Dr. Katie Mack).
- Correct misinformation—when someone credits a male scientist for a discovery made by a woman, speak up!
2. Support Women in STEM Fields
- Mentorship & Sponsorship: If you're in STEM, mentor young women or advocate for them in your workplace.
- Scholarships & Grants: Donate to or promote organizations that fund women in STEM (e.g., AAUW, Women in Engineering ProActive Network, Girls Who Code).
- Buy From & Hire Women in STEM: Support businesses, startups, and innovations led by women.
3. Hold Institutions Accountable
- Call Out Erasure: Reach out to NASA and other institutions removing women’s bios or contributions. Email, comment on social media, and demand transparency.
- Advocate for Representation: Push for diverse panels, conferences, and leadership teams that include women in STEM.
- Encourage Media Representation: Support films, TV shows, and books that accurately portray women’s contributions to STEM.
4. Get Politically Involved
- Vote for Science & Equality: Support policies and leaders who invest in STEM education for girls and women.
- Push for Historical Corrections: Advocate for schools to include more women scientists in curricula.
- Report Bias & Discrimination: If you see workplace or academic discrimination, report it.
5. Inspire the Next Generation
- Introduce young girls to STEM through books, toys, and role models.
- Participate in events like Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day or STEM outreach programs.
- Challenge outdated gender stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing science.
Final Thought
Silence enables erasure. Action reverses it. Whether by educating yourself, amplifying voices, or demanding systemic change, you can help ensure women in STEM get the recognition they deserve. Let’s rewrite history — accurately.
About the author
Estelle is the Editor & Founder of Smart Healthy Women Mag. She is an expert Coach, Author and Speaker. She is passionate about providing her readers with successful strategies for realising a life of purpose, meaning and fulfilment using the best in change tools and believes that by reaching their potential, everyone can make the world a better place.
