Updates from 175 Faces of Chemistry. Showcasing diversity within the chemical sciences.

Past to Present

A look back at how far women have come within the chemical sciences over the past 100 years.
I’m always astounded that once upon a time, women were part of a societal group that faced unimaginable hurdles in the sciences. So much so, that very few ever achieved a career equal to that of men. It was only 100 years ago that women were forbidden to be awarded degrees and were barred from university libraries and laboratories. Although statistics say we are still a little way off gender equality within the chemical sciences, it just shows you how far society has come to become inclusive.

Marjory Stephenson is a fine example of a determined young woman who followed her passions and studied chemistry at Cambridge University, despite restrictive conditions. She described her research into bacterial metabolism as ‘catching sight of the machinery of life’ in a book entitled Bacterial Metabolism; it became a standard text for generations of biochemists. Despite the success of her research, Marjory was forced to sign all papers ‘M.S’ so her gender was undisclosed. 

It is only sometimes when we compare the success of women both past and present that we can appreciate the shifts in societal attitudes. Mary Garson started her career similarly to Marjory; at Cambridge University. Now very successful in the field of chemical ecology of bioactive metabolites in Australia, her achievements have been recognised by a flatworm named after her; Maritigrella marygarsona. With three women receiving Nobel prizes in 2009, Mary sees that the landscape is very different but not yet equal. Perhaps, although outspoken attitudes have changed, it is the hidden issues that bare the reason preventing us from reaching equality. She highlights the need for family-friendly policies within universities and institutions for any improvement to be had.                                                                                             
  
So all in all, although we’ve come a huge way since the 1900s, we’ve got some way to go! Positive female role models are an invaluable way to encourage equality within the next generation, something I hope 175 Faces of Chemistry is contributing to!

If you have a role model important in your life, why not nominate them to be one of our 175 Faces of Chemistry here.

Marjory Stephenson's Image © Newnham College Cambridge, Mary Garson's Image courtesy of Mary Garson
 
 
Posted by Jenny Lovell on Nov 21, 2014 1:10 PM Europe/London

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