Women in Science: Celebrating Trailblazers and Future Leaders

Despite significant advancements, women remain underrepresented in science and engineering fields. In 2017, only 15% of women compared to 33% of men were employed in these areas, as per the National Science Foundation. To inspire young women, it’s crucial to spotlight the achievements of female pioneers in science.

Collaborative Initiatives: Bloomberg and Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative

In a bid to acknowledge and celebrate female leaders in science and technology, Bloomberg New Voices and the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative have joined forces to present “The Women in the Room” series. This initiative aims to highlight the contributions of women from the past as well as current leaders and future pioneers.

Historical Contributions

During a recent program, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III welcomed viewers with the story of Sophie Lutterlough, who began her career as the first female elevator operator at the National Museum of Natural History in 1943. While working, she studied insects during her breaks and eventually became an entomology research assistant after 14 years.

Katherine Ott, curator at the National Museum of American History, shed light on the lesser-known achievements of women in science, illustrated by the example of Mary Walker, a Civil War surgeon who broke societal norms by wearing pants and advocating for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery. Ott remarked, “Women’s stories have been so buried, erased, and untended that the ‘first’ of something is likely long lost to us.”

Exhibitions Highlighting Women Innovators

A significant feature of the program includes the “Picturing Women Inventors” exhibition, showcasing the motivations and accomplishments of innovators from the 20th and 21st centuries. Alison Oswald, an archivist, discussed the groundbreaking work of Dr. Patricia Bath, who invented a probe for cataract surgery in 1986, greatly improving accuracy and minimizing invasiveness. Bath also dedicated her efforts to educating girls in STEM fields and enhancing healthcare access in underserved communities.

Contemporary Leaders Shaping Future Directions

The event, hosted by Bloomberg anchor Alix Steel, featured a panel discussion with notable scientific leaders:

• Kathrin Jansen, Ph.D. – Senior Vice President, Head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer
• Fei-Fei Li, Ph.D. – Sequoia Professor at Stanford University
• Priscilla Chan, MD – Co-founder and co-CEO at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
• Anne Schuchat, MD – Principal Deputy Director of the CDC

Dr. Chan discussed the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s commitment to enhancing COVID-19 education and vaccination acceptance, particularly in marginalized communities. Their “Made to Save” campaign aims to address vaccination hesitancies and increase access to vaccines in historically underserved populations. “In our country we’ve had a long history of systemic inequities… every additional person who gets vaccinated makes their entire community safer,” Chan stated.

Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders

The program concluded with discussions about initiatives aimed at fostering future women leaders in technology and science. Among the speakers were:

• Laura Zelenko – Senior Executive Editor at Bloomberg News
• Evelyn Erskine – Bloomberg Corporate Philanthropy
• Ellen Stofan, Ph.D. – Under Secretary for science and research at the Smithsonian Institution

Erskine highlighted the partnership between Bloomberg and Break Through Tech, which offers young women in STEM training and workshops to develop their technical skills. Stofan, reflecting on her own experiences, emphasized the inspiration drawn from past female scientists and the importance of sharing their stories through initiatives like the “Because of Her Story” campaign and educational exhibitions grounded in women’s contributions.

Stofan noted, “In my own path in science… very few people looked like me.” Such narratives play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of STEM for women and ensuring that their stories are told and valued.

The Smithsonian and its partners are committed to launching campaigns that raise awareness about the historical and contemporary impact of vaccines, helping to educate future generations on the significance of women in science.