Margaret W. Rossiter: Championing Women in Science
In 1969, as a young history student, Margaret Rossiter dared to ask a simple question: where are the women in science? The answer? A dismissive "nowhere."
Undeterred, Rossiter became a champion for these forgotten heroes, unearthing their stories and sparking a revolution for equality in science.
Who is Margaret W. Rossiter?
In 1969, a pivotal moment occurred in the life of Margaret Rossiter, then a 24-year-old graduate student at Yale University.
Amidst a predominantly male cohort in a graduate programme in the history of science, Rossiter found herself in an environment that often overlooked or dismissed the contributions of women in scientific endeavors.
In spite of the prevailing attitudes, Rossiter persevered, attending informal gatherings where she sought acceptance in an environment permeated with beer drinking, pipe smoking and humor that often eluded her.
At one such gathering, Rossiter asked a simple but profound question: "Have there ever been women scientists?" The resounding answer was a dismissive "No". Undeterred, Rossiter embarked on a lifelong research to uncover the forgotten and marginalized contributions of women in science, a journey that would redefine the landscape of scientific history.
The impact of Margaret W. Rossiter’s work
Rossiter's most known work, Women Scientists in America: Struggles and Strategies to 1940, marked a turning point in the historiography of science. Through years of research and archival exploration, Rossiter displayed the stories of pioneering women astronomers, physicists, chemists, and botanists who had long languished in obscurity.
Through her scholarship and intellectual activism, Rossiter dismantled the myth of women's historical insignificance in science and exposed the systemic barriers that prevented their recognition and advancement.
The impact of Rossiter's work went beyond academia, catalyzing a wider movement to promote gender equity and inclusivity in the sciences. Her concept of the 'Matilda Effect', named after suffragette Matilda Gage, highlighted the troubling phenomenon of male scientists receiving credit for the work of their female colleagues - a phenomenon that continues to resonate in contemporary discourse on gender discrimination in science.
Today, Margaret Rossiter's legacy remains a beacon of inspiration for scientists and advocates alike. Her tireless efforts to amplify the voices and achievements of women in science have paved the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.
As we continue to honor her contributions, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a scientific community that values and celebrates the diversity of its members.
The History of “Women in Science” Prize
Established in 1989 by the History of Science Society (HSS), the Margaret W. Rossiter History of Women in Science Prize recognises outstanding contributions to the historical study of women in science. Awarded biennially, the prize honors scholars whose research advances our understanding of the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of women in scientific endeavor.
Over the years, the Margaret W. Rossiter Prize has been awarded to an illustrious array of scholars whose work has reshaped our understanding of the role of women in science.
From innovative biographies to nuanced explorations of gender dynamics in scientific communities, the recipients of this prestigious award have made invaluable contributions to the field of women's history in science.
The impact of the Margaret W. Rossiter History of Women in Science Prize extends far beyond academia.
By honoring and amplifying the stories of women scientists past and present, the Prize serves as a catalyst for broader societal recognition and appreciation of women's contributions to scientific progress.
It also inspires future generations of scientists to continue to unravel the complex tapestry of women's experiences in science.
Recent Recipients of the Margaret W. Rossiter History of Women in Science Prize:
2023, Leah Devun, The Shape of Sex: Nonbinary Gender from Genesis to the Renaissance (Columbia University Press 2021)
2022, Beans Velocci, Standards of Care: Uncertainty and Risk in Harry Benjamin's Transsexual Classifications Transgender Studies Quarterly8, no. 4 (2021): 462-480.
2021, Sharon Strocchia, Forgotten Healers: Women and the Pursuit of Health in Late Renaissance Italy (Harvard University Press, 2018).
2020, Myrna Perez Sheldon, “Breeding Mixed Race Women for Profit and Pleasure” American Quarterly 71, no. 3 (2019): 741-765.
2019, Elaine Leong, Recipes and Everyday Knowledge: Medicine, Science, and the Household in Early Modern England (University of Chicago Press, 2018).
2018, Kara Swanson, “Rubbing Elbows and Blowing Smoke: Gender, Class, and Science in the Nineteenth-Century Patent Office,” Isis 108, no. 1 (March 2017): 40-61.
More about Margaret W. Rossiter History of Women in Science Prize: History of Science Society, Smithsonian Magazine