Local Science Engagement Network Community

March was Women's History Month. From science to politics, it gave us all a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who have led and continue to lead the way for change. As AAAS members, of course, we celebrate the brilliant scientific minds of women and their contributions to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). AAAS advocates for women in science all year, but Women's History Month was the perfect time for others to learn about their contributions and recognize their accomplishments. 

Looking back on the month that just ended, and on your own education, training, and career:

1. What women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have had the greatest impact on your own career?

2. What women in STEAM education have had the most significant impact on your career and on your worldview? (They need not be science teachers-remember the "A" in STEAM!)

3. What books about women in science have you read recently and recommend to others?

An excellent book that has just been published and that I can recommend is The Exceptions-Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science by Kate Zernike, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. Some reviews…

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kate-zernike/the-exceptions-mit/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/books/review/the-exceptions-kate-zernike.html

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61273694

And while we're looking through the ol' retrospectoscope, let's think back to the 2023 AAAS annual meeting that was held in March, and the theme of the meeting, which was "Science for Humanity":

1. What were the highlights of the meeting for you?

2. Consider the intersectionality between the AAAS meeting and Women's History Month, what were some of the standout aspects?

As we move into April and the climatological, ecological, environmental, and sustainability considerations we associate with Earth Day, it's appropriate that we pause and reflect on the AAAS meeting and Women's History Month that just ended. 

Please post your thoughts for our community. Thank you in advance for your reminiscences

Looking back on the month that just ended, and on your own education, training, and career:

What women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have had the greatest impact on your own career?
Mae Jemison (Astronaut and Physician), Clea Koff (Forensic Anthropologist), all of the women from Hidden Figures (Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughn, Katherine Johnson), Kelly Flowers (Founder of Women Leading Technology Sorority, WLT Media, WLT STEAAM Experience for Girls, and Cybersecurity Professional), Ainissa Ramirez (Materials Scientist and author of a super cool book), and many more. I have learned about so many inspiring women just over the past 4 years. 

What women in STEAM education have had the most significant impact on your career and on your worldview? (They need not be science teachers-remember the "A" in STEAM!)
The women in STEAM education that have had the most significant impact on my career and worldview are the women professors that I had when I was an undergraduate in anthropology.  What was so cool about them is that each were experts in a different area in the field (Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology, Linguistics and Social Theory, and General Social Anthropology).

To add to this, I also had a great female mentor in my MS program, and one in the communications department in undergrad. I had one when I was in my doctoral program, and two when I was a postdoc. This question really made me reflect on this reality. I did not even realize that there were all women (all very different from each other with something unique and special to offer) at every level of my educational journey. This trend seems to continue in my now active career, and I am grateful for their wisdom and encouragement.

What books about women in science have you read recently and recommend to others?

The Alchemy of Us by Ainissa Ramirez
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
The Story of More by Hope Jahren
The Bone Woman by Clea Koff
Viral Justice by Ruha Benjamin
Catching Stardust by Natalie Starkey
WithOUT A Doubt by Surbhi Sarna

March was Women's History Month. From science to politics, it gave us all a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who have led and continue to lead the way for change. As AAAS members, of course, we celebrate the brilliant scientific minds of women and their contributions to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). AAAS advocates for women in science all year, but Women's History Month was the perfect time for others to learn about their contributions and recognize their accomplishments. 

Looking back on the month that just ended, and on your own education, training, and career:

1. What women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have had the greatest impact on your own career?

2. What women in STEAM education have had the most significant impact on your career and on your worldview? (They need not be science teachers-remember the "A" in STEAM!)

3. What books about women in science have you read recently and recommend to others?

An excellent book that has just been published and that I can recommend is The Exceptions-Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science by Kate Zernike, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. Some reviews…

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kate-zernike/the-exceptions-mit/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/books/review/the-exceptions-kate-zernike.html

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61273694

And while we're looking through the ol' retrospectoscope, let's think back to the 2023 AAAS annual meeting that was held in March, and the theme of the meeting, which was "Science for Humanity":

1. What were the highlights of the meeting for you?

2. Consider the intersectionality between the AAAS meeting and Women's History Month, what were some of the standout aspects?

As we move into April and the climatological, ecological, environmental, and sustainability considerations we associate with Earth Day, it's appropriate that we pause and reflect on the AAAS meeting and Women's History Month that just ended. 

Please post your thoughts for our community. Thank you in advance for your reminiscences