Dishwashers, computer algorithms and the medical syringe seemingly have no commonalities. However, each of these inventions were created by a woman. During Women’s History Month, there’s no better time than the month of March to recognize the revolutionary technologies created by women and the stories that brought them here.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers have been historically dominated by men. According to an article published by The Hamlin School, the worldwide percentage of women in STEM fields is 28%, 5% of which account for women of color.
This statistic is due in part to a significant gender gap that accounts for unequal pay between women and men as well as the stigma surrounding women in these fields.
Gender roles play an important role in the stereotypes that affect a woman’s ability to pursue a STEM career.
Junior Morgan Layhue and Trinity STEAM Team member comments, “In my opinion, women in STEM deserve more recognition because STEM can often be seen as a male-dominated field. They are paving the way for future success for generations of women to follow and are expanding knowledge and research in the science and math fields and deserve recognition for their next-level achievements.”
Although it may seem as though these orthodox principles have gone out of style, plenty of women still face workplace discrimination in their daily lives. While it’s not always intentional, unconscious bias is still present despite Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies.
Oftentimes, women who pursue a career in STEM are overlooked or ignored. Rosalind Franklin, for example, was a British scientist who is presently known for discovering the helical structure of DNA in 1952. The famous photograph proving her theory was published by her male colleagues without credit or consent. Ultimately, she was denied recognition for her profound discovery when the same coworkers each received a Nobel Prize years later.
Young girls who aspire to pursue STEM careers are often discouraged by the harsh realities of being a woman in a science field. It’s difficult to persevere when it feels like the odds are stacked against the minority. Recognizing the women who have advanced modern technology is important when considering how gender discrimination has affected younger generations and even the economy due to gender-influenced wage gaps.
Such women who deserve recognition for their excellence in STEM fields include Marie Curie, responsible for the discovery of radium and polonium; Rachel Carson, who is credited with the identification of the harmful effects of the pesticide DDT; and Katherine Johnson for her efforts in putting astronauts in space.
At Trinity, the young women of the STEAM Team are exemplary candidates for diligent, intelligent and persistent thinkers who have devoted their time to developing ideas and innovations in chemistry, physics, mathematics and more.
“The girls on the Trinity STEAM Team stand out because they are not afraid to show interest in their passions to get to the next level. They are problem solvers, strategic thinkers and are always up for a challenge,” Layhue adds.
As women continue to trailblaze in various STEM fields, it is imperative that society recognizes the life-altering innovations women have brought into the world. Happy Women’s History Month!
