Throughout history, women in science left powerful legacies despite societal pressures that challenged their existence in the scientific community. For instance, Marie Curie, one of the world’s most renowned scientists, was not even allowed to give speeches on her research simply because she was a woman. Instead, her husband presented their findings. Curie persisted and ultimately became the first woman to win a Nobel prize, the first person to win two, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two categories. Her groundbreaking work laid the foundation for innovations in medical devices that revolutionized cancer treatment through radiation therapy.  

Alice Ball, an exceptional chemist, faced both sexism and racism during her professional career. While she forever changed the treatment of leprosy in the early 20th century with her innovative “Ball Method,” she did not receive credit for her scientific contributions for years. Tragically, Ball passed away before she could publish her research, which led to another chemist publishing it as his own.  

Lise Meitner, an Austrian-Swedish physicist, faced sexism and antisemitism during her career. She played an instrumental role in uncovering the principles of nuclear fission—a critical breakthrough that has influenced energy and medical advancements, such as cancer detection. While Meitner did not win any of the almost 50 Nobel nominations she received, the Institute of Physics now has a prize named after her to honor her contributions to the scientific community.