Women's History Month - Women Who Paved the Way in STEM (March 8-14, 2025)

(Courtesy of United Archives International/IMAGO)

The First Woman to Win a Nobel Prize

Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie was not only the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but also the first person to win two in different scientific fields—Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911). Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity led to the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium. She developed mobile X-ray units used in World War I and laid the foundation for cancer treatments through radiation therapy. Despite facing gender discrimination in academia, Curie’s relentless pursuit of knowledge changed science forever. 

(Painted By Alfred Edward Chalon | National Museum of Science and Industry)

The First Computer Programmer (and the reason we have iPhones!)

Augusta Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace, daughter of the poet Lord Byron, saw something no one else did in the 1840s—machines could do more than just crunch numbers. Working with Charles Babbage’s proposed Analytical Engine, she wrote what is now recognized as the first computer algorithm, anticipating modern computing concepts over a century before they became reality. Her visionary notes on the machine’s potential went largely unrecognized in her time, but today, she is celebrated as a pioneer of computing and a symbol of women’s contributions to technology. 

(Photo by Eric Carpenter for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | Patent # 2292387)

The Hollywood Star Who Revolutionized Communications

Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler/ Hedy Lamarr was more than a Hollywood star—she was a brilliant inventor whose work laid the foundation for modern wireless communication. During World War II, she co-developed frequency-hopping technology, a method designed to prevent enemy forces from intercepting radio-controlled torpedoes. Though largely overlooked in her time, this breakthrough became the basis for WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Even though she was known for her movies, Lamarr’s true legacy is her genius in innovation, proving that intelligence and creativity can thrive in unexpected places.

(Courtesy Dr. Patricia Bath)

The First Black Woman to Receive a Medical Patent

Dr. Patricia Era Bath was a trailblazing ophthalmologist and the first Black woman to receive a medical patent. She invented the Laserphaco Probe, a device that made cataract surgery more precise and less invasive, restoring vision for countless patients worldwide. A passionate advocate for equal access to eye care, she also co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, ensuring vision care for underserved communities. Her contributions transformed the field of ophthalmology and continue to impact global healthcare.

(Courtesy Lemelson Center- Smithsonian Institution)

The Chemist Who Made Bulletproof Vests Possible

Stephanie Louise Kwolek, a chemist at DuPont, was searching for lightweight fibers when she discovered Kevlar in 1965. This material turned out to be five times stronger than steel, leading to the development of bulletproof vests, helmets, and other protective gear that have saved countless lives. Her work also contributed to innovations in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment. Kevlar is used in more than 200 applications, including tennis rackets, skis, parachute lines, boats, airplanes, ropes, cables, car tires, fire fighter boots, hockey sticks, cut-resistant gloves and armored cars. It has also been used for protective building materials like bomb-proof materials, hurricane safe rooms, and bridge reinforcements. Despite initial skepticism about her findings, Kwolek’s perseverance cemented her legacy in material science.

(Public Domain)

The First Woman to Write a Book on Childbirth Practices

Louise Bourgeois Boursier was a pioneering French midwife who served as the royal midwife to Queen Marie de’ Medici. She delivered six of the queen’s children, including the future King Louis XIII. An advocate for the professionalization of midwifery, she was one of the first to write extensively about childbirth, publishing in 1609 Observations diverses sur la stérilité, perte de fruict, fécondité, accouchements et maladies des femmes (Various Observations on Sterility, Miscarriage, Fertility, Childbirth, and Women's Diseases), which provided practical medical knowledge and challenged male-dominated obstetric practices. Her work influenced generations of midwives and physicians, cementing her legacy in medical history.

(credit unknown)

The First Chinese Woman to Win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Tu Youyou, a pharmacologist and medicinal chemist, made a groundbreaking medical discovery in the 1970s when she led a team that identified artemisinin, an effective treatment for malaria. Drawing from traditional Chinese medicine, she extracted the compound from sweet wormwood, revolutionizing malaria treatment and saving millions of lives worldwide. Her work was part of a secret military project during the Cultural Revolution, and despite limited resources, she remained dedicated to the research. In 2015, she became the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, solidifying her legacy as a pioneer in global health.