STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine) fields are predominantly male-oriented. But, interestingly, women were the first computer engineers, software designers, mathematicians at NASA, and many other pioneering fields. Today, even though more women are graduating with technical and science degrees, from the workplace to science labs, women remain a minority. To encourage more women to take on roles and leadership positions in science and tech, various initiatives like Girls Who Code are being implemented.

Some of the first pioneers in tech are women like Grace Hopper and even today, these women in STEMM continue to inspire more women to take the path less travelled.

"If you know you are on the right track, if you have this inner knowledge, then nobody can turn you off... no matter what they say." - Barbara McClintock, cytogeneticist and winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

"Science, for me, gives a partial explanation for life. In so far as it goes, it is based on fact, experience and experiment." - Rosalind Franklin, chemist, molecular biologist, and one of the key figures behind unlocking the structure of human DNA.

"I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy." - Marie Curie, first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to ever win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences.

All sorts of things can happen when youre open to new ideas and playing around with things. Stephanie Kwolek, chemist who invented Kevlar and winner of the Lavoisier Medal for technical achievements.

"Courage is like its a habitus, a habit, a virtue: you get it by courageous acts. Its like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging." - Marie Daly, the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in chemistry. She discovered the relationship between cholesterol and clogged arteries.

I increasingly believe, and remind myself, that my ideas are valuable. People will listen to and appreciate them more based on my confidence conceptualizing and sharing them. Only one idea can be chosen, but everyone has to feel confident to share theirs because it contributes to the final outcome. - Tracy Sun, former research scientist and Founder of Poshmark.

I didnt want to just know the names of things. I remember really wanting to know how it all worked. - Elizabeth Blackburn, Winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

I tell young people: Do not think of yourself, think of others. Think of the future that awaits you, think about what you can do and do not fear anything. - Rita Levi Montalcini, Italian neurologist and 1986 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology.

(Edited by Evelyn Ratnakumar)

Link:
Quotes by women in STEMM to inspire you to follow your dreams - YourStory