Major Gender-Related Contributions of Women to Science in the 20th Century

Women have made significant contributions to science in the 20th century, despite facing gender barriers and discrimination. In various fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and more, pioneering female scientists have broken stereotypes and made remarkable discoveries that have advanced our understanding of the world.

Women in Biology

Notable female biologists like Barbara McClintock, who won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983 for her work on genetic transposition in maize, and Rosalind Franklin, whose work was crucial in understanding the structure of DNA, made groundbreaking contributions to the field of biology.

Women in Chemistry

In chemistry, women like Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry), and Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, who determined the structures of important biochemical substances, were pioneers in their field.

Women in Physics

In physics, scientists like Lise Meitner, who played a key role in the discovery of nuclear fission, and Chien-Shiung Wu, who disproved the law of conservation of parity, made significant contributions to the field.

These women and many others have paved the way for future generations of female scientists, highlighting the importance of gender equality and diversity in STEM fields.