Women in the World of Science Who Have Changed the World 

Girls, tell me a male scientist or researcher that you know? You would immediately mention Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and many more if asked like that. 

Now, name a female scientist or researcher that you know? Your answer would have to be Marie Curie. Then it would be difficult for you to name another female scientist or researcher. 

From there, you will realize that the number of female researchers/scientists is, in fact, less than men. 

Even though their numbers are few, women scientists and researchers have made a significant contribution, become inspirations for other women, and have even managed to change the world! 

Then who are they?

Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer 

Augusta Ada King, Countess Lovelace, or Ada Lovelace, was an English writer and mathematician. Born on December 10, 1815, when his parents divorced, little Ada grew up under the care of his mother. 

Ada's mother privately hired Augustus De Morgan, a mathematics professor at the University of London, England, to teach Ada. That's where Ada started her journey in the world of mathematics. 

After getting married, Ada, who became interested in Babbage's Machines, was finally introduced to Babbage with the help of a close friend. 

Then in 1842, Ada translated writings about the Analytical Engine by an Italian named Louis Menabrea. This article was inspired by Babbage's idea, which at that time wanted to build a more sophisticated machine than Babbage's machine, but was rejected by the British parliament. 

Babbage then suggested Ada not only translate but also develop the writing. Ada was finally able to expand it three times as long as before. 

Ada explained that Babbage Machine would become a multipurpose computer in her writing. Apart from that, he also added a set of instructions for calculating Bernoulli numbers. 

These additional instructions were eventually recognized as the world's first computer program and made Ada Lovelace the world's first programmer. 

Marie Curie, Physicist and Chemist 

Who doesn't know Marie Currie? The woman who won the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry also succeeded in discovering radioactivity, which became the forerunner of X-Rays and opened the gates to the world of modern medicine. 

Marie Curie, whose full name is Marie Salome Sklodowska, was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 7, 1867. Born to parents who were teachers, little Marie was filled with extraordinary curiosity until, finally, she grew up as a bright and intelligent child. 

At the age of 16, Marie managed to win a gold medal while completing her secondary education. 

Despite her father's support, due to limited funds and the prohibition of women from studying at the university, Marie could not continue her education. Even so, Marie continued to actively participate in underground classes and worked to earn money as a teacher and nanny. 

From the money she got, Marie also paid for her older sister, Bronisława, to attend medical school in Paris, France. He did this hoping that one day his older sister would be able to pay for his schooling later. 

Marie's wish came true. When Marie was 24 years old, Bronisława helped Marie to study at Sorbonne University, Paris. Marie then earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1893 and a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1894. 

While working in Lippmann's laboratory, Marie met Pierre Curie. The two of them finally got married. 

Together with her husband, Marie Currie made a new breakthrough with her findings for the world health sector. The two managed to discover the new elements polonium and radium. 

Radium rays help cure cancer and be the beginning of the development of X-rays which are very beneficial for the world of health. 

But unfortunately, through his discovery, Marie also had to suffer from cancer due to continuous exposure to radium rays. Marie Curie finally died on July 4, 1934. 

Thanks to Marie and Pierre Curie, the world of medicine can become more modern, and many patients have saved their lives. 

Rosalind Franklin, discoverer of the structure of DNA 

Franklin was the first to capture images from DNA. This discovery proved that DNA consists of two oppositely coiled chains or what is now known as the double helix. 

Rosalind Franklin was born in London, England, on July 25, 1920. An intelligent and brilliant student since childhood. When he was 15 years old, Franklin decided to become a scientist. At that time, being a scientist was unusual for a woman. 

Thanks to his intelligence, Franklin got a scholarship at Cambridge University to study chemistry. Franklin completed his postdoctoral studies (PhD) at the age of 26! 

After completing his education, Franklin was invited to join King's College to conduct research on X-ray techniques to determine the structure of DNA. While researching, Franklin often encounters obstacles, one of which is being ostracized by her colleagues because she is the only female scientist. 

Even so, Franklin continued his research until he finally got Photo 51. An image showing the structure of DNA consisting of two opposite circular chains, known as the double helix. 

FYI, apart from discovering the structure of DNA, Franklin's other most famous work is the gas masks used by British soldiers during World War II. 

Elizabeth Blackwell, The first female doctor of the modern era 

Living in a time when women were expected to be mothers and take care of the home, Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to become a doctor in modern medicine. 

Elizabeth Blackwell was born on February 3, 1821, in Bristol, England. In 1832, the Blackwells moved to the United States and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Elizabeth's desire to become a doctor started when she saw her friend who was dying. Under these circumstances, his friend said, "it would be better if she had a female doctor". 

At that time, this wish was impossible. Most doctors are men. Even the world of medical education does not accept women as their students. 

Thus, Elizabeth still wants to be a doctor. Then she apprenticed with a doctor before being accepted at the Geneva Medical College in 1847. 

Many people thought Elizabeth's admission to medical school was a joke. Elizabeth did not give up. She remained enthusiastic about completing her studies until she finally wrote a thesis raising typhoid fever. 

This gave Elizabeth the first rank in her class, and she graduated in January 1849. This made Elizabeth the first female doctor in the era of modern medicine. 

Throughout her life, Elizabeth Blackwell succeeded in changing the world of modern medicine, especially for you women. 

In 1857, with her sister Dr Emily Blackwell and colleague Dr Marie Zakrzewska, she founded the New York Hospital for Women and Children. She became the first woman on the British medical list in 1859. 

When civil war broke out in 1861, Elizabeth organized an institute to supply and train nurses to serve as medical teams. 

Then in November 1868, with Florence Nightingale, she opened the Women's Medical College in New York. It didn't stop there. In 1871, Elizabeth helped organize the National Health Society, and in 1875 she was finally appointed professor of gynecology at the London School of Medicine for Women. 

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