by As we look back on our history we see how science has changed our civilization over time. The increase of knowledge has fueled every country in this ongoing battle of who knows the most. As people say, “Knowledge is power,” and countries all
around the world believe in this statement. Scientists have always been some of the world’s most well-known figures because they have changed so much about the way we live.
As we look into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, we notice an overwhelming amount of attention is drawn towards male scientists. For example, a study in 2016 shows that the ratio of STEM graduates was 37% female and 63% male (Stockwell). Considering that those are recent numbers as we go back into our history the female percentage would go drastically down.
Despite the overwhelming amount of men in this field, the contribution of women is still extremely substantial. As we look back on the many women scientists in our history we see scientists such as Marie Curie, Lise Meitner, Rachel Carson, and Rosalind Franklin. Rosalind Franklin is a scientist well known for her double helix discovery in DNA, and not receiving credit, and having her work either stolen or miscredited by scientists Jim Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins.
Rosalind Franklin was born on July 25th, 1920, and passed away on April 16th, 1958. She was an English chemist and X-ray crystallographer. Franklin attended St Paul’s Girls School and then continued her education at the University of Cambridge. She worked primarily with DNA and studied the molecular structures of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid), viruses, coal, and graphite. Although, her biggest discovery was the structure of DNA and the double helix structure (Cobb).
To give some context to Franklin’s biggest finding, in late February of 1953, Franklin, 33 at the time, had the idea that the structure of DNA had two chains. She had realized that DNA existed in two forms because she had understood by this point that the molecule had its phosphate groups on the outside. Franklin had taken an X-ray photograph of a DNA crystal that showed the helical structure. It is said that two weeks after she came up with that finding, Watson, and Crick had found her unpublished evidence, and created a model of the DNA as a double helix based on Franklin’s research. Watson went on to admit that he did take evidence towards the double helix discovery from Franklin saying, “‘Rosy, of course, did not directly give us her data. For that matter, no one at King’s realized they were in our hands.’” (Maddox). Watson went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1962 which he shared with Crick and Wilkins. Although Franklin, who had already passed away in 1958, was not credited and did not receive any recognition towards her findings.
This disrespect towards women in STEM has been an ongoing issue in our society. Women are often represented as “weaker” than men and were often taken advantage of. As seen with Franklin her evidence was stolen from her and some of her most important findings were miscredited. Although Franklin will forever be remembered as the scientist who did not receive credit for her discovery of the double helix, she will also serve as a symbol for women around the world showing that it is possible for women to be a part of STEM.
Credits
Maddox, Brenda. “The Double Helix and the ‘Wronged Heroine’.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, www.nature.com/articles/nature01399.
“The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1962.” NobelPrize.org, www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1962/summary/.
“Rosalind Franklin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalind_Franklin.
“Sexism in Science: Did Watson and Crick Really Steal Rosalind Franklin’s Data?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 23 June 2015, www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/23/sexism-in-science-did-watson-and-crick-really-steal-rosalind-franklins-data.
Stockwell, Carly. “Women vs. Men in STEM Degrees: Do We Have a Problem?” Inside College Factual, Inside College Factual, 27 Oct. 2017, inside.collegefactual.com/stories/women-vs-men-in-stem-degrees.