The contributions of women to society have historically and largely gone unrecognized.

The contributions of women to society have historically and largely gone unrecognized. That is starting to change but arguably not quickly enough. Enter: Women’s History Month. What began in 1982 as “Women’s History Week” evolved into the entire month of March in 1987. Women’s History Month celebrates and acknowledges what women in American history have brought to the table, so to speak, and gives them an elevated platform of visibility.
 

 We thought it would be fun to dig into the archives and highlight some symbolic women—specifically in the STEM fields—and put a magnifying glass on their revolutionary contributions in their respective professions. You’ve probably heard of a few of them … and if not, you will learn something new today!
 
Ada Lovelace
🖥️ A mathematician and writer, Ada Lovelace is recognized as the very first computer programmer. She was one of the key developers of the Analytical Engine — the first computer. Although it was never actually built, she had the smarts to know that through calculations, the machine could identify and follow instructions. (Side note: Aren’t we glad we don’t still call it that? Can you imagine wearing an Analytical Engine on your wrist?!) Oh, and by the way — this was all in the 1800s. 
“Understand well as I may, my comprehension can only be an infinitesimal fraction of all I want to understand.” — Ada Lovelace 
Marie Curie
☢ Marie Curie is primarily remembered for her discovery of radium and polonium, conducting pioneering research on radioactivity and her huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer. A physicist and chemist, Marie was the very first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and the only woman to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields. So, basically an underachiever! 
Interesting fact: Marie’s remains were actually buried twice. It’s true, look it up … it’s quite intriguing. 
"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, that this thing must be attained." — Marie Curie 
Elizabeth Blackwell, MD
📜 Surely if you have anything to do with the healthcare industry you’ve heard of Elizabeth Blackwell. She was the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree (You go, girl!). Originally from England, Elizabeth moved to the U.S. with her family when she was a young girl. Aside from her trailblazing accomplishment of receiving her degree, Elizabeth also opened the Woman’s Medical College in New York in the late 1800s. 
Interestingly, she lost sight in her left eye on her career journey and it ended up preventing her from becoming a surgeon. 
“If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled.” — Elizabeth Blackwell 
Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD
👩‍⚕️ Known as the “Doctress of Medicine,” Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the very first African American woman to earn her medical degree, one of 300 women practicing physicians in the U.S. and the ONLY black woman in medicine. How’s that for an impressive resume? 

 Starting her career in 1852 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Dr. Crumpler persevered as a nurse for eight years. Her talent and knowledge impressed the doctors so much that they encouraged her to apply to medical school and wrote supportive letters of recommendation. Sooner than later, she began in 1860 at the New England Female Medical College, aka, the first school in the U.S. to train female doctors. 
 
“I early conceived a liking for and sought every opportunity to relieve the sufferings of others.” — Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD 
Katalin (Kati) Kariko
🧬 Kati Kariko, PhD, helped shield the world from coronavirus. 
She is a biochemist and researcher best known for her contributions to mRNA technology and the COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, Kariko’s research facilitated the first mRNA vaccines, which led to a breakthrough in 2021 with coronavirus disease research! She and her co-collaborator invented the modified mRNA technology used in Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s vaccines. 
Next time you’re getting a vaccine, make sure you thank Kati! 
“I said, ‘I am an RNA scientist — I can make anything with mRNA,’” — Katalin Kariko 
Alice Palmer
🎓 Alice Palmer co-founded and served as the president of the American Association of University Women before women could even vote! Born in New York, she quickly taught herself to read at only three years old. Her genius didn’t end there – she graduated from the University of Michigan with an offer from Wellesley college to become a Greek and mathematics professor (which were, ironically, two of her hardest subjects in school). Her tireless efforts in encouraging women to continue post-college education were commendable as she doubled the number of women enrolled in the university from 24% to 48%. 
“Every day stop before something beautiful long enough to say, ‘Isn't that b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!’” — Alice Palmer

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