It’s no debate that science has taken over the world. Some of the world’s highest earning people today are those who work in various sciences, whether it be technology or medicine. Unfortunately, most of these people are men, and women are severely underrepresented in this field. Only a small percentage of these scientific careers are powered by women. Why should women be missing out in one of the most powerful, arguably the most important professions, especially if society is currently evolving around the new developments in science? The fact that women are not even encouraged to pursue these kinds of careers, unlike boys, is a big problem. In order to stop this pattern, we need to start educating everyone, men and women, and giving the same opportunities to those of all genders and identities. Equality for women has definitely improved in the last few centuries, but we need to acknowledge and change existing discrimination still plaguing our world. 

Two of the most successful women in science history are Rosalind Franklin and Marie Curie. They are both great women who excelled in the sciences , and who girls also want to pursue science look up to today. Rosalind Franklin was a British scientist noted for her work taking some of the first pictures of DNA and RNA. However, her contributions were largely overlooked during her lifetime, and unfortunately most of the credit went to her male counterparts. This is one of the unfair examples of women’s exclusion in scientific fields and research.

Marie Curie was a Polish-French  physicist and chemist who revolutionized the fields of physics and chemistry through her research on radioactivity and her additions to the periodic table. Her discoveries led to advancements in medicine, biology, and engineering. Sadly, Curie suffered much gender discrimination throughout her life, and was denied entry to many colleges and schools due to her sex. She was excluded from many of her own scientific achievements, yet she overcame these sexist aspects of society and became the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice. 

Ria Jam from Emerald high also expressed to us her concerns regarding women in science. “Womens role in science is important because it provides a new perspective”, she continues stating “Women having any role in science has been an ongoing development of the last 50 years, so and equal opportunity in a field important to vital life would allow advancements that benefit everyone”. 

Women are just as smart and capable as men are, especially when it comes to the profession of computer science. When people think of a computer scientist, they almost automatically think of a man. We need to change this status quo. We need to encourage girls the same as boys to ensure they aren’t left behind. The accomplishments of women have always been overlooked and underappreciated, but we have the chance to change that. We have the chance to tell their stories and represent their legacy. The lengths we have come to equality are extraordinary, but it’s important we don’t overlook the ways we still need to go. Ultimately, a thriving society requires equality.