"The Matilda Effect": Pioneering Women Scientists Written Out of Science History
2 days ago
- #Women in Science
- #Historical Bias
- #Recognition
- The Matilda Effect describes the denial of recognition to women scientists, named after suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage.
- Margaret Rossiter coined the term and highlighted overlooked contributions of women in science.
- Lise Meitner, a pioneer in nuclear fission, was overshadowed by Otto Hahn, who received a Nobel Prize.
- Alice Augusta Ball developed a leprosy treatment but was erased from history until rediscovered decades later.
- Other examples include Esther Lederberg, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and Rosalind Franklin, all excluded from major awards.
- Margaret Rossiter's work led to a prize named after her by the History of Science Society.
- The article critiques the underrepresentation of women in historical narratives and modern platforms like Open Culture.