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TIMELINE

For centuries, women have contributed to science, often in the shadows. This timeline traces their journey, from erasure to recognition, throughout history. From the Middle Ages to today, discover those who advanced knowledge, often without ever receiving the credit they deserved.

Marie Curie

MARIE CURIE

First woman to receive a Nobel Prize. Her research on radioactivity revolutionized medicine and physics. Despite her genius, she was long reduced to her husband's "assistant".

1847
Alice Ball

ALICE BALL

At only 23 years old, she developed the most effective treatment against leprosy. Her discovery, the "Ball Method", was used for decades without her being credited.

1915
Lise Meitner

LISE MEITNER

Co-discovered nuclear fission, but the Nobel was awarded solely to Otto Hahn. An emblematic example of the Matilda Effect.

1920
Rosalind Franklin

ROSALIND FRANKLIN

Her X-ray images enabled understanding of the DNA structure. Credits and Nobel were awarded to Watson and Crick without mentioning her.

1950
Katherine Johnson

KATHERINE JOHNSON

Her precise calculations made the first American space missions possible. Long ignored because of her skin color and gender, she was honored belatedly by NASA.

1960
Mae Jemison

MAE JEMISON

First Black woman astronaut to travel in space. She now advocates for more diversity in the sciences.

1970
Donna Strickland

DONNA STRICKLAND

2018 Nobel Prize for her work on ultrafast lasers. First woman to receive this prize in over 50 years.

1985
Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier

JENNIFER DOUDNA AND EMMANUELLE CHARPENTIER

Their invention revolutionized human genome editing. First 100% female team to win a scientific Nobel.

2000

The history of science is often written in the masculine. But every name inscribed here proves that another memory is possible: one where women have their place, their discoveries, and their voice.

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"Memory is the first step toward justice."