If you ask primary students of the scientists that they know or admire, they will say Albert Einstein or Nicolas Tesla or other men that have created some great inventions but you will not hear the name of a woman.

Well, women have contributed a lot in science and development of humanity from the earliest time. They have faced barriers to make their work known and accepted. One of these inventors is Marie Curie. She is the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in physics in 1903 and she won her second Nobel Prize in chemistry as well, eight years later. Her achievements include the development of the theory of radioactivity, techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of polonium and radium. She was also the first woman to teach at the University of Paris.

Rosalind Franklin is another scientist who contributed to the understanding of DNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. Her research and determination made her win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982.

The scientific world has also known the participation of African American chemist, Alice Ball. She developed an injectable oil extract that treats leprosy. She was also the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Hawaii with a master’s degree at that time.

These are just three examples of many other women who contribute every day to develop science and life.