Throughout history, women have overcome tremendous odds to make lasting contributions to science. In Meeting the Challenge, BMagdolna Hargittai shares their stories. /BFor centuries, women scientists have faced seemingly insurmountable barriers to success in their careers. Yet many have excelled in science, achieving some of the most important scientific breakthroughs in history. In her latest book, Magdolna Hargittai discusses over 120 such women scientists. The book details the lives and careers of women scientists from the past and present, from various parts of the world, and representing many different fields, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.Among the pioneering women profiled in the book are Nobel laureate and astronomer Andrea M. Ghez, medicinal physicist and Nobel laureate Rosalyn Yalow, Rosalind Franklin, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, and COVID-19 vaccine pioneer Katalin Karik?. The book also includes vignettes on the ecologist and author of Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, the primatologist Jane M. Goodall, and many others. These women demonstrate that despite the persistent idea that "science is not for women," women can and do succeed in science, even if success often requires courage and perseverance.Meeting the Challenge presents compelling human stories to inform and entertain readers and encourage those considering careers in science. By detailing the lives and achievements of many of the most important women scientists in history, the book makes a significant contribution to the history of science and provides role models for those interested in pursuing scientific careers.

Foreword (by Eszter Hargittai)PrefaceAcknowledgments1 AstronomersSophia BraheMaria CunitzElisabetha HeveliusMaria KirchCaroline HerschelMary SomervilleMaria MitchellWilliamina Fleming and the Women of the Harvard ObservatoryCecilia Helena Payne-GaposchkinNancy Grace RomanVera C. RubinJocelyn Bell BurnellFrance A. CordovaAndrea M. Ghez2 MathematiciansElena Cornaro PiscopiaLaura BassiMaria Gaetana AgnesiAda LovelaceSonia KovalevskyMileva Mari?-EinsteinEmmy NoetherR?zsa P?terKathleen OllerenshawMary Winston JacksonKaren K. UhlenbeckMaryam Mirzakhani3 PhysicistsThe Loneliness of the Woman PhysicistThe Radium InstituteElisabeth RonaMarietta BlauElisaveta KaramichailovaBerta KarlikMarie CurieIsabella StoneHarriet BrooksLise MeitnerLeona Marshall LibbyMaria Goeppert MayerAntonia F. PrikhotkoChien-Shiung WuRuby Payne-Scott and other Australian Female PhysicistsRosalyn YalowMildred DresselhausDonna T. Strickland4 CrystallographersKathleen LonsdaleDorothy Crowfoot HodgkinRosalind FranklinIsabella KarlePioneers of Data Banks Barbara Mez-Starck Olga KennardAda YonathCarolina H. MacGillavry and M.C. EscherAgnes Csanady and Quasicrystals5 Chemists and BiochemistsGerty CoriAlice BallIda NoddackIr?ne Joliot-CurieKlavdia V. TopchievaMildred CohnGertrude B. ElionMaxine F. SingerElena G. GalpernPaula HammondJennifer A. Doudna and Emanuelle M. CharpentierLynne E. MaquatJoan A. SteitzKatalin Karik?6 Biologists and Biomedical ScientistsZinaida V. ErmolevaBarbara McClintockAleksandra A. Prokofieva-BelgovskayaRita Levi-MontalciniFrances O. KelseyAnne McLarenChristiane Nusslein-VolhardLinda B. BuckFran?oise Barr?-SinoussiBarbara M.F. PearseElizabeth H. BlackburnCarol W. GreiderMay-Britt Moser7 Physicians, Surgeons, and NursesElizabeth BlackwellRebecca Lee CrumplerRebecca ColeElizabeth Garrett-AndersonLouisa Brandbeth Aldrich-BlakeFlorence R. SabinThe Moscow Higher Courses for WomenLina S. SternMedicine Women in London Annie McCall Jane Harriet Walker Elsie Inglis Lilian Lindsay Ida Mann Sheila Sherlock Margaret Turner-Warwick Cicely Saunders Melanie Klein Anna Freund Enid Balint Nancy RothwellNurses Florence Nightingale Mary Seacole Theodora Turner8 Inventors and TechnologistsHertha AyrtonKathrine BlodgettPioneers in Aviation and Space Travel Amelia M. Earhart Amy Johnson Valentina V. Tereshkova Svetlana E. Savitskaya Sally K. Ride Judith A. Resnik Kathryn D. SullivanFrances H. Arnold9 EcologistsRachel CarsonMiriam RothschildAyhan UlubelenChulabhorn MahidolJane Morris Goodall and Other PrimatologistsYouYou TuNotesName Index