Does science have gender?
Apparently it seems to be happening nowadays.
This preponderance of male scientists in science-related positions led the UN
to define February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in
2016. This day has the great aim of marking gender equality in Science. For 15
years, the community has tried to increase the number of women in science and
contribute to parity.
Throughout the OECD, Portugal stands out as an example, with 57% of Portuguese
students choosing scientific courses, against 39% of the average. A
significant fact, but it should not be surprising, since, in the general
context of the country, it is also women who achieve the best academic
rankings, far above male colleagues.
Not so long ago, and even in some communities and contexts, women were
excluded, seen as elements who would not be able to exercise such a profession;
received less funding than male counterparts. Being a woman in science does not
mean the same as it did in the past. I believe that, thanks to the women who
fought to be known in the past, today others can easily be recognized.
Here are some Women Scientists who became known in the field of science.
Branca Edmée Marques (1899-1986) was a
student at the Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon University and was a scholarship holder, in the
1930s, at the institute created by Marie Curie in Paris. Despite the honorable
work, her career in Portugal was adverse. Only in 1966 did she reach the chair, at the age of 67.
Branca Edmée Marques
Seomara da Costa Primo (1895-1986) graduated
in Historical-Natural Sciences, in 1919, at Lisbon University. She worked until 1942 as a
second assistant in Botany, receiving her doctorate in that year. Despite the
great experience acquired over those years and having been the first
extraordinary teacher hired in college, she would not reach the top of her
career.
Seomara da Costa Primo
Elvira Fortunato (1964 -?) Currently, she is
Full Professor at Universidade NOVA, Vice-Rector of NOVA and Director of the
Materials Research Center at the Associated Laboratory. She graduated in Physics
and Materials Engineering in 1987, with a PhD in 1995 in Microelectronics and
Optoelectronics. She received a Czochralski Medal for Materials Science from the
Polish Academy of Sciences and the Blaise Pascal Medal from the European
Academy of Sciences. She was distinguished with several National and
International Awards, among which the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in 2009 by
Galati University stands out and the degree of Grand Officer of the Order of
Infante D. Henrique o Navegador granted by the President of the Republic of
Portugal in 2010. She is an elected member of the European Academy of Sciences
since 2016, and of Lisbon's Academy of Sciences since 2017.
Elvira Fortunato
