Breaking In: Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

It is only recently that cultural expectations shifted towards envisioning women and girls in science and technology fields.

Throughout most of history, science was a hobby rather than a career. Curious men studied the natural world, discussing their findings with compatriots in philosophical and scientific societies.

Cultural norms that understood women and men as occupying separate spheres excluded women from scientific communities.

For her achievements, Mitchell became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1848, as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1850.

Interest in education blossomed in 19th-century America. Many women were able to pursue opportunities to learn and seek training for professional careers.

During this time, several women’s colleges were established. The Seven Sisters--Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Vassar, and Wellesley--were all founded between 1837 and 1889.

Co-educational institutions frequently barred women from science and technical majors or enrolled very small numbers of exceptional women. The Seven Sisters each developed science specialties, like Vassar College, where Maria Mitchell taught astronomy.

Clarke was among a very few exceptional women who were able to find success at the highest levels in technical fields. She was the first woman inducted into the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.

World War II created a need for smart problem-solvers, opening doors to women interested in math and technology careers. These women programmed computers for the top secret Manhattan Project.

Hopper predicted that computers would one day be small enough to fit on a desk, and people would be able to use them in their everyday lives.

During and following the War, computer programming became known as a “woman’s profession," analogous to clerical work.

Life magazine profiled MIT’s class of 1956 as the most sought-after in America. These graduates were desperately needed to address the scientist gap with the Soviet Union. There were 12 women in a class of 759. Can you find them?

The passage of Title IX opened the door to new educational opportunities for women. The law made it illegal to bar women from federally funded schools or programs of study.

On June 18, 1983 the space shuttle Challenger was launched for the six-day mission STS-7. Dr. Ride was one of the five crew members aboard, making her the first American woman in space.

Dr. Ride's achievements in science inspired countless other women to pursue careers in STEM and to help shape the field.

Almost 21 million students attended American colleges and universities in fall 2014. Women made up the majority of students, with about 12 million females matriculating, compared to 9 million males. Though women comprise almost 60% of undergraduates, they tend not to major in science and technological fields. They earn only 18% of the Engineering degrees, 20% of Computer Science degrees, and 20% of Physics degrees. Additionally, their representation in these majors has declined over the past 30 years.

Women’s percentage of college majors parallels their representation in the scientific and technical workforce.