The contributions of women to science have often been underrepresented in history, but their impact is undeniable. Let’s take a look at three remarkable women whose discoveries and innovations changed science forever, breaking new ground in fields that span from chemistry to computer science. Can you guess who we’re talking about?
Marie Curie
Marie Curie is one of the most renowned scientists in history, most famous for her groundbreaking work on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She is also the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines—Physics and Chemistry. Her discoveries of radium and polonium, as well as her development of mobile radiography units during World War I, have had lasting impacts on both science and medicine.
Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin was a British biophysicist. Her work with X-ray diffraction was critical in discovering the double helix structure of DNA. Although her contributions were initially overlooked and her data used without her permission, Franklin’s meticulous research and sharp insights were instrumental for the scientific breakthrough that unveiled the building blocks of life.
Grace Hopper
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was a pioneer in computer science. She was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer and developed the first compiler for a computer programming language. Her work laid the foundation for modern software development.