“Without women in science, we would lose human creativity and the ability that half of the world’s population possess, which is so critical to accelerate progress of science.”
Lingadahalli Subrahmanya Shashidhara
We celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on the 11th of February. This day highlights the challenges and achievements of female scientists and researchers around the world. This day aims to empower and inspire young women. Here a list of past and present women that have or are currently doing amazing things in the science and research industry.
Irene Charnley
Irene Charnley grew up in the Cape Flats in South Africa. She was raised by a widowed mother. Her career started as a negotiator for the National Union of Mineworkers. Later in her career, she joined MTN where she served as a director. In 2000 she received the Businesswoman Award. She’s most notably the founder and Deputy Chairman of Smile Telecoms. Irene Charnley is considered one of the most influential women in Africa. She’s on the board of the International Women’s Forum South Africa and continues to inspire people to pursue their dreams. In 2020 she received the Forbes Woman Africa Pioneer Award. With notable contribution in transforming MTN Group and spearheading different projects in her career. Irene Charnley is a powerhouse in the technology and telecommunications industry.
Gita Ramjee
Gita Ramjee was a Ugandan-South African scientist. She was an HIV researcher that specialised in HIV prevention for women. She received a combined degree in chemistry and physiology from the University of Sunderland in the UK. She went on to complete her doctoral research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her work gained global recognition. She received the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership prize for Outstanding Female Scientist. Gita Ramjee made an immense contribution to HIV South African research. Her effort to improve women’s health and her advocacy for a holistic approach to HIV that included reproductive health care is admirable and inspirational.
Caroline Herschel (1750 – 1848)
Caroline Hershel was a German-born British astrologer. Her brother William, an established music teacher, had invited her to Bath, England in 1772. While in England, Caroline was trained and performed as a singer. In 1781, William discovered the planet Uranus. A year later the duo gave their last musical performance. She went on to become William Herschel’s assistant. Caroline soon began to make her observations and discoveries in astronomy. In 1787, the king gave her an annual pension making Herschel the world’s first professional female astronomer. Caroline Herschel’s most significant contribution to astronomy was her discovery of several comets. She was the first woman to discover a comet. Herschel was also the first woman to receive honorary membership into British’s Royal Society. From singer to an astronomer, Caroline Herschel was a force and her legacy lives on.
Flossie Wong Staal
Flossie Wong Staal was a Chinese-American viral and molecular biologist. She was a leader in HIV research. In her earlier years, she attended a Catholic school and excelled in her academics. Her teachers pushed her toward science and at 18 years old she began pursuing her B.S. in bacteriology at the University of California. During her research, she proposed that HIV was the cause of AIDs. In 1985 Flossie Wong Staal was the first scientist to clone HIV. Wong-Staal’s HIV cloning led to the genetic map of the virus which resulted in the development of blood tests. Dr Flossie Wong-Staal made a significant contribution to HIV/Aids research and her discovery has helped millions today.
The Restorers
The Restorers are comprised of six young activists from Kenya. Dorcas Owinoh,[1] Stacy Owino, Cynthia Otieno, Purity Achieng, Macrine Atieno and Ivy Akinyi. These six ladies are using the power of technology to help aid female genital mutilation victims. Potential victims can use their i-cut app to contact authorities and medical emergency services. 27% of women between the ages of 15-49 have experienced some form of FGM. An estimated 4 million girls have undergone female gender mutilation. The Restorers were the only Africans to participate in Silicon Valley’s 2017 Technovation Challenge. The Restorers are proof that age doesn’t dictate your ability to make a real difference.
FGM | UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund
Dr Wangari Muta Maathai
Dr Wangari Muta Maathai was another Kenyan powerhouse. She was a political, social and environmental activist. In 1977 she founded the Green Belt Movement which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya. Dr Maathai was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a PhD in philosophy. She was also the first African woman to be honoured with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her ‘contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace’. The Green Belt Movement is still active today.
Dr Kizzmekia Corbett
Dr Kizzmekia Corbet is an American research fellow but most notably, the scientific lead for the Coronavirus Vaccines and Immunopathogenesis team at the NIH in America. Dr Kizzmekia is one of the few leading women in the global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Corbett obtained her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology in 2014. She is a STEM education advocate and also wants to bring vaccine awareness to the community. Dr Kizzmekia Corbett serves an inspiration for any young person wanting to make a difference in the scientific landscape.
Nita Patel
Nita Patel comes from humble beginnings. At 4 years old her father nearly died from tuberculosis and her family fell into poverty. Her father told her she should become a doctor and find a cure. Despite her difficult upbringing, her excellent academic track record resulted in a university scholarship in America. Patel earned two masters degrees in microbiology and biotechnology. She is a senior director in the vaccine and development department at Novavax. Novavax vaccine showed an 89% effectiveness in the UK trials. She leads an all-female crew and will go down in history as one of the leading contributors to the search for a Covid-19 vaccine.
