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Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World Hardcover – July 26, 2016
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“The must-read, girl-power STEM book.”—InStyle
It’s a scientific fact: Women rock! This fascinating, educational collection features 50 illustrated portraits of trailblazing women in STEM throughout history.Full of striking, singular art, Women in Science also contains infographics about relevant topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated scientific glossary. The trailblazing women profiled include such pioneers as primatologist Jane Goodall and mathematician Katherine Johnson, who calculated the trajectory of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
Women in Science celebrates the achievements of the intrepid women who have paved the way for the next generation of female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, astronauts, physicists, and more!
- Print length128 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level5 - 12
- Lexile measure990L
- Dimensions7.8 x 0.6 x 9.3 inches
- PublisherTen Speed Press
- Publication dateJuly 26, 2016
- ISBN-101607749769
- ISBN-13978-1607749769
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Women in Science Board Book | Women in Science Postcards | Women in Science Puzzle | Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth | What's Inside a Flower | Women in Art | |
Explore this board book adapted for the youngest readers! | Gorgeous illustrations of fifty fearless female pioneers who changed the world—with duplicates of each postcard. | Based on the book Women in Science, this brilliantly illustrated 500-piece puzzle is the perfect gift for feminists and science lovers young and old. | An illustrated tour of the planet exploring ecosystems large and small, from reefs, deserts, and rainforests to a single drop of water. | Explore the world of flowers! This book is ready to grow young scientists by nurturing their curiosity about the natural world. | Illustrated profiles of 50 pioneering female artists--from the 11th century to today. |
Editorial Reviews
Review
“With the help of eye-catching artwork, Ignotofsky celebrates not just astronauts, but also the engineers, biologists, mathematicians, and physicists who’ve blazed a trail for women in STEM. . . . The book elevates this information with beautiful and instructive infographics that delve into topics like the number of women currently working in STEM fields.”—Entertainment Weekly
“This book of illustrated biographies of scientific pioneers is hands-down gorgeous. . . . Kids will love paging through this, looking at all the detailed drawings, but they’ll likely have to rip it out of the hands of the adults who are marveling at each new page of factoids.”—Bitch Media
“The world needs more books like this.”—Scientific American
“A clever introduction to women scientists through history.”—Science Friday (Best Science Books of the Year)
“If there were constellations celebrating the incredible accomplishments of women in science, Rachel Ignotofsky’s illustrations would serve as the blueprints. As Ignotofsky floats NASA computer programmer and mathematician Annie Easley amid rockets and stars, surrounds Higgs boson discoverer Sau Lan Wu with particles, and cradles Barbara McClintock with corn and chromosomes, she anchors her dreamy depictions into our brains. Women in Science captures the joy of so many essential discoveries while also celebrating the extraordinary lives of the women who’ve achieved them.”—Rachel Swaby, author of Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science—and the World
“I wish I had a daughter so I could give her a copy of Rachel Ignotofsky's lovingly illustrated Women in Science. In addition to Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, and Ada Lovelace, the book profiles dozens of less familiar female scientists—Black, Asian, Jewish, Russian, French, in stylish dresses, lab coats, trousers, spacesuits, shorts—whose accomplishments in astronomy, physics, mathematics, biology, psychology, and computer science came as news even to me. Ignotofsky provides young women with the courage and confidence to follow the exciting paths these pioneers have blazed before them.”—Eileen Pollack, author of The Only Woman in the Room: Why Science Is Still a Boys' Club
“In Rachel Ignotofsky’s edifying and inspiring book we meet some of history’s most remarkable women. Each profile contains extraordinary stories of obstacles and achievements. The drawings float on the pages’ dark backgrounds, making each figure appear to hover in the sky like a constellation. That’s what the reader is doing in this book: stargazing.”—Lauren Redniss, author of Radioactive and Thunder & Lightning
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Nothing says trouble like a woman in pants. That was the attitude in the 1930s, anyway; when Barbara McClintock wore slacks at the University of Missouri, it was considered scandalous. Even worse, she was feisty, direct, incredibly smart, and twice as sharp as most of her male colleagues. She did things her way to get the best results, even if it meant working late with her students, who were breaking curfew. If you think these seem like good qualities for scientist, then you are right. But back then, these weren’t necessarily considered good qualities in a woman. Her intelligence, her self-confidence, her willingness to break rules, and of course her pants were all considered shocking!
Barbara had already made her mark on the field of genetics with her groundbreaking work at Cornell University, mapping chromosomes using corn. This work is still important in scientific history. Yet while working at the University of Missouri Barbara was seen as bold and unladylike. The faculty excluded her from meetings and gave her little support with her research. When she found out they would fire her if she got married and there was no possibility of promotion, she decided she had had enough.
Risking her entire career, she packed her bags. With no plan, except an unwillingness to compromise her worth, Barbara went off to find her dream job. This decision would allow her to joyously research all day and eventually make the discovery of jumping genes. This discovery would win her a Nobel Prize and forever change how we view genetics.
Barbara McClintock’s story is not unique. As long as humanity has asked questions about our world, men and women have looked to the stars, under rocks, and through microscopes to find the answers. Although both men and women have the same thirst for knowledge, women have not always been given the same opportunities to explore the answers.
In the past, restrictions on women’s access to education was not uncommon. Women were often not allowed to publish scientific papers. Women were expected to grow up to exclusively become good wives and mothers while their husbands provided for them. Many people thought women were just not as smart as men. The women in this book had to fight these stereotypes to have the careers they wanted. They broke rules, published under pseudonyms, and worked for the love of learning alone. When others doubted their abilities, they had to believe in themselves.
When women finally began gaining wider access to higher education, there was usually a catch. Often they would be given no space to work, no funding, and no recognition. Not allowed to enter the university building because of her gender, Lise Meitner did her radiochemistry experiments in a dank basement. Without funding for a lab, physicist and chemist Marie Curie handled dangerous radioactive elements in a tiny, dusty shed. After making one of the most important discoveries in the history of astronomy, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin still got little recognition, and for decades her gender limited her to work as a technical assistant. Creativity, persistence, and a love of discovery were the greatest tools these women had.
Marie Curie is now a household name, but throughout history there have been many other great and important women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Many did not receive the recognition they deserved at the time and were forgotten. When thinking of physics, we should name not only Albert Einstein but also the genius mathematician Emmy Noether. We should all know that it was Rosalind Franklin who discovered the double helix structure of DNA, not James Watson and Francis Crick. While admiring the advances in computer technology, let us remember not only Steve Jobs or Bill Gates, but also Grace Hopper, the creator of modern programming.
Throughout history many women have risked everything in the name of science. This book tells the stories of these scientists, from ancient Greece to the modern day, who in the face of “No” said, “Try and stop me.”
Product details
- Publisher : Ten Speed Press; NO-VALUE edition (July 26, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 128 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1607749769
- ISBN-13 : 978-1607749769
- Reading age : 7+ years, from customers
- Lexile measure : 990L
- Grade level : 5 - 12
- Item Weight : 1.29 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.8 x 0.6 x 9.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #11,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times Best Selling author and illustrator, based in California. She grew up in New Jersey on a healthy diet of cartoons and pudding. She graduated from Tyler School of Art in 2011.
Rachel works for herself and spends all day and night drawing, writing and learning as much as she can. Rachel is a published author with 10 Speed Press and is always thinking up new ideas. Check out her books The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth, Women In Science, Women in Art, and Women In Sports.
Her work is inspired by history and science. She believes that illustration is a powerful tool that can make learning exciting. She has a passion for taking dense information and making it fun and accessible. Rachel hopes to use her work to spread her message about scientific literacy and feminism.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2017
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Rachel Ignotofsky focuses on 50 "fearless pioneers" during a time frame that extends from Hypatia (350-370 CE-415 CE [?]) until Maryam Mirzakhani (1977-2017). Women in the United States were not permitted to vote until 1920 and access to higher education was denied -- or at least severely limited -- to women who wanted to pursue a degree in medicine or in the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Moreover, resistance to women's personal growth and professional development has been even wider and deeper in most other countries.
These are among the mini-profiles of "fearless pioneers" that are of greatest interest and value to me:
o Ada Lovelace (1815-1852): Mathematician,; collaborator with Charles Babbage on first computer program
o Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910): Physician; founder of several medical societies in U.S. and England
o Alice Ball (1892-1916): Chemist; developed a new treatment of leprosy victims throughout the world
o Marie Curie (1867-1934): Physicist and chemist; Nobel laureate (twice)
o Barbara McClintock (1902-1992): Cytogeneticist; revised views of evolution and botany; Nobel laureate
o Grace Hopper (1906-1992): Navy admiral and computer scientist; invented first compiler
o Rachel Carson (1907-1964): Marine biologist and conservationist; author of the Silent Spring
o Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000): Inventor and film actress; developed frequency-hopping spread system (FHSS) used in smartphones, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices
o Katherine Johnson (1918- ): Physicist and mathematician calculated trajectories for NASA; featured in the book and film, Hidden Figures
o Jane Goodall (1934- ): Primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist; renowned for research on chimpanzees
o Valentina Tereshkova (1937- ): Engineer and Cosmonaut; first woman to travel in outer space; orbited Earth 48 times in Vostok VI
o Elizabeth Blackburn (1948- ): Molecular biologist; invented telomarase (enzyme that builds telomeres); Nobel Laureate
o Maye Jemison (1956- ): Astronaut, educator, and physician; first African-American woman in outer space; founder and CEO of several corporations
Rachel Ignotofsky concludes, "The women in this book prove to the world that no matter your gender, your race, or your background, anyone can achieve great things. Their legacy lives on. Today, women all over the world are still risking everything to discover and explore.
"Let us celebrate these trailblazers so we can inspire the next generation. Together, we can pick up where they left off, and continue the search for knowledge.
"So go out and tackle new problems, find your answers, and learn everything you can to make your own discoveries!"
That is her challenge to the young women who read this book but it is also a challenge to others -- parents, other family members, teachers, coaches, and clergy -- who can support their efforts. I also urge those young women to keep in mind this valuable insight from Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
I like the idea of her seeing herself in these pages and the representation gathered here can be used along with other books to help shape who she's becoming. And learning about through other naturally curious pioneers (men, women, and some children), she can hopefully see there is a common thread in humankind which means she is more than "just" any one thing. I'd buy this if I had a nephew as well, for the same reasons. To appreciate the things we have in common and celebrate the differences because of the possibility of unique contributions.
On the less philosophical side, it's simply a fun book with enough illustrations and facts, to keep a young reader engaged and can open up great conversations! There's not as much "wonder" these days, so finding a book that can generate it, is a good find!
We read through a woman a day and do some brief further study (in this case that usually means searching out their science or area of study). When we find someone that really sparks her interest, we tackle a more in depth study of the woman, her life, her science, and her journey. I love all the books by this author!
Top reviews from other countries


Bought for my science loving daughters 13th birthday, it hasn’t disappointed. Beautifully illustrated in a contemporary style that appeals to adults, young adults and children alike. Fascinating stories of these great women and their breakthrough, challenges and achievements! Great book!


Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 11, 2018
Bought for my science loving daughters 13th birthday, it hasn’t disappointed. Beautifully illustrated in a contemporary style that appeals to adults, young adults and children alike. Fascinating stories of these great women and their breakthrough, challenges and achievements! Great book!





