Abstract
There are many greats in science history but relatively few women scientists that could be chosen as role models. This essay presents some from among contemporary contributors to chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, and astronomy. They had overcome barriers of discrimination, the difficulties of managing their time between research and family, and all have triumphed. They include some of the most famous, such as Isabella Karle, Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, Anne McLaren, and Vera Rubin, and some less famous, including examples from Russia, India, and Turkey. Their presentation is based on personal encounters with them by the author; herself a scientist, wife, and mother.
On any given day, one can go to the Chronicle of Higher Education and see a new article on the trials and tribulations of publishing and seeking tenure in academia. Anxiety inducing titles such as “Measuring Up” and “The Stress of Academic Publishing” reaffirm the notion that one must publish, or perish. While this type of pressure pushes some to success, for others, it makes it harder to write. However, you don’t have to travel this writing and publishing road alone. Inspired by the book Every Other Thursday: Stories and Strategies from Successful Women Scientists by Ellen Daniell, a small group of women academics and professionals in Logan, Utah found their support team through the creation of a writing group in Spring 2009.
Every other Thursday: Stories and strategies from successful women scientists Every Other
Thursday: Stories and Strategies from Successful Women Scientists ,
Ellen Daniell , Yale U. Press,
New Haven, CT, 2006. $27.50
(268 pp.). ISBN 978-0-300-11323-5
