Sally Ride Quote

Women in STEM: Unforgettable STEMinist Quotes

More than 50% of the American population is female, according to the 2010 Census. The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports that in 2010, 38% of U.S. scientists and engineers were women. These women carry on a long tradition of females in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Perhaps a few inspirational words from previous generations of powerful female scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians may help you to decide whether STEM is the right field for you. 

Ride, Sally, Ride

We can start no higher than well above the world with Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space. Her list of accomplishments is also out of this world:

  • Bachelor’s Degree—Stanford University, in English and Physics
  • Master’s Degree—Stanford University, in Physics
  • Ph.D—Stanford, in Physics
  • First American Woman in Space—Challenger Space Shuttle, 1983
  • Founded NASA’s Office of Exploration
  • Professor of Physics—University of California
  • Director—California Space Institute

In a 2006 USA Today interview, Ride was asked about the then-common notion that men naturally are better at mathematics and science. Her response pointed a precise, much-needed pin in that balloon of hot air: 

Don't Wait to Learn More About ECPI University's Degree Programs!

“Suppose you came across a woman lying on the street with an elephant sitting on her chest. You notice she is short of breath. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of heart problems. In her case, the much more likely cause is the elephant on her chest. 

For a long time, society put obstacles in the way of women who wanted to enter the sciences. That is the elephant. Until the playing field has been leveled and lingering stereotypes are gone, you can't even ask the question.”

In response to the ongoing challenge of encouraging girls to take up the sciences, Sally Ride co-founded Sally Ride Science in 2001, which works to promote STEM careers. 

And of her explorations:

“All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.” 

Accomplished. Period. 

Lise Meitner was unique and, to this day, holds a unique place in science. She is the only woman to have an element on the Periodic Table named in her honor. (Marie Curie shares Curium with her husband, Pierre.) 

Meitnerium, element 109, will forever recall to chemists the name of this trailblazing contemporary of Einstein. She coined the term “nuclear fission.” Meitner probably would have garnered the Nobel Prize for chemistry had she been able to stay in Germany in the 1930s to continue her work with Otto Hahn (who did claim the prize, in 1944). Meitner said, about science: 

“Science makes people reach selflessly for truth and objectivity; it teaches people to accept reality, with wonder and admiration, not to mention the deep awe and joy that the natural order of things brings to the true scientist.” 

Why Choose?

Mayim Bialik is an actress…and a neuroscientist. She began her television career as a teenager, in the show Blossom, and later went to college:

  • Bachelor’s Degree—University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Neuroscience, Hebrew and Jewish studies
  • Ph.D.—UCLA, Neuroscience

Dr. Mayim Bialik, Ph.D., is now known for her role in The Big Bang Theory, but she says, “Once a scientist, always a scientist.”

Her television character is a neurobiologist; she is one of the technical consultants called upon to get the show’s science right. She is open about her passion:

“Being a scientist is like being in love with every aspect of the universe.”

Don’t Call Me Mother

Radia Perlman does not like her nickname, Mother of the Internet. Despite inventing the spanning-tree protocol (STP), this software designer and network engineer, holder of more than 100 patents, creator of large networks, is a quiet and unassuming person. 

In giving the graduation speech at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Perlman said this: 

“It’s OK to ask for help. When doing a final exam, all the work must be yours, but in engineering, the point is to get the job done, and people are happy to help. Corollaries: You should be generous with credit, and you should be happy to help others.”

Great Women, Great Legacies

This barely touches the names on the long list of achievement by women scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians.

A few other remarkable women:

  • Admiral Grace Murray Hopper—Inventor of the first computer compiler, coiner of the computer terms “bug” and “debug,” and famous also for saying, “It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.”
  • Danica McKellar—Actress, writer, and mathematician: “Math is like going to the gym for your brain. It sharpens your mind.”
  • Ada Lovelace—Writer of the first algorithm, who said about her analytical engine—the first computing machine— “That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal; as time will show.”

Launch Your STEM Career with ECPI University!

So, are you inspired? Are you ready to launch a future in STEM but not sure where to start. Consider ECPI University’s College of Technology, with degree programs in both Information Technology and Electronics Engineering. Through our year-round program, you can earn a Bachelor’s degree in just 2.5 years. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI's College of Technology TODAY!

DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.

For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.