Women in Science

Maxine Singer (1931–2024), biologist who helped map DNA 

Maxine Singer was a molecular biologist who helped map DNA and led the debate about the ethics of genetic engineering.

Krystal Anderson (1983–2024), Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader

Krystal Lakeshia (Cunningham) Anderson was an engineer who created patented software to assess pregnancy risks and a former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader and yoga instructor.

Mary Cleave (1947–2023), NASA astronaut on Space Shuttle Atlantis

Mary Cleave was a NASA astronaut who went to space twice on Space Shuttle Atlantis in the 1980s.

Evelyn Boyd Granville (1924–2023), NASA mathematician 

Evelyn Boyd Granville was a mathematician who worked with NASA to help safely send some of the first astronauts into space.

Evelyn M. Witkin (1921–2023), discovered how DNA repairs itself 

Evelyn M. Witkin was an award-winning geneticist whose discoveries about how DNA repairs itself opened the door to advances in cancer treatment.

Dr. Susan Love (1948–2023), influential breast cancer researcher 

Dr. Susan Love, an American surgeon who challenged paternalism in the medical establishment, changed the way breast cancer is researched and treated.

Virginia Norwood (1927-2023), physicist, “Mother of Landsat”

Virginia Norwood invented the multispectral scanner that allows us to take detailed images of Earth from orbit. An integral part of the Landsat 1 satellite, the technology paved the way for the satellite scanners providing imagery of Earth to this day. She is known as the “Mother of Landsat” thanks to her breakthrough.

Audrey Evans (1925–2022), Ronald McDonald House co-founder

Audrey Evans was a pediatric oncologist who co-founded the first Ronald McDonald House for families with children in the hospital.

Carolyn Shoemaker (1929–2021), astronomer who discovered many comets

Carolyn Shoemaker was an astronomer who co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 and set a record for comets discovered.

Millie Hughes-Fulford (1945–2021), first female payload specialist for NASA

Millie Hughes-Fulford was the first woman to go into space as a payload specialist, the scientists who work aboard NASA’s space missions.

Discover the legacies of the Challenger astronauts

On January 28, 1986, Americans turned on their TVs to watch the launch of Space Shuttle Challenger. The shuttle’s flight would turn out to be heartbreakingly brief before tragedy struck. Seventy-three seconds into the Challenger’s flight, the shuttle exploded. All seven astronauts on board were killed.

Shere Hite (1942–2020), author of Hite Reports on female sexuality

Shere Hite was a sex educator and feminist who issued the groundbreaking Hite Reports that explored human sexuality and focused on women’s experiences.

Joan Feynman (1927–2020), astrophysicist who explained the aurora borealis

Joan Feynman was a pioneering astrophysicist who discovered the science behind the aurora borealis and aurora australis.

Frances Allen (1932–2020), pioneering computer scientist

Frances Allen was a pioneering computer scientist and the first woman to win a Turing award.

Flossie Wong-Staal (1946–2020), pioneering HIV researcher

Flossie Wong-Staal was a molecular virologist whose research on HIV was crucial in the development of blood tests to detect the virus.

Margaret Burbidge (1919–2020), astronomer who showed elements form inside stars

Burbidge was a renowned astronomer known for fighting discrimination towards women in the field.

Women's History Month: Legacies & Life Stories

Women accomplish amazing things every day, and that’s always worth celebrating. But in March, we take special notice of women’s achievements as we observe Women’s History Month.

Katherine Johnson (1918–2020), NASA's “Hidden Figures” hero

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who calculated orbital mechanics for the first crewed spaceflights for NASA. The story of her struggles as one of the African American women working as computers at NASA in the 1960s was made famous in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” which starred Taraji P. Henson as Johnson. Johnson’s calculations of the trajectory and launch window for Alan Shepard’s historic 1961 spaceflight were crucial to the success of the mission. She later helped calculate the trajectory for Apollo 11’s 1969 Moon landing, and she worked on the Space Shuttle program and on plans for a mission to Mars.

Daphne Sheldrick (1934 – 2018), elephant conservationist featured in “Born to Be Wild 3D”

Daphne Sheldrick, British-Kenyan elephant conservationist who was featured in “Born to Be Wild 3D” documentary, died Thursday, April 12, 2018, after a long battle with breast cancer, according to the Associated Press. She was 83.

Mathilde Krim (1926–2018), AIDS research pioneer

Founded the first private organization dedicated to AIDS research…

Thanks, Scientists! (video)

A video tribute to scientists whose work have saved lives.

Remembering Rachel Carson (video)

A video tribute to the scientist and author of "Silent Spring."

American Heroes: Astronaut Laurel Clark

She was willing to put her life on the line for medicine, science, and humankind.

Famous Girl Scouts in History (video)

A video tribute to some famous former Girl Scouts.

Nine Great American Women (video)

A video tribute to American women and their great accomplishments.

14 Mighty Women Whose Bold Lives Will Inspire You

The basketball player who led the U.S. to victory over the Soviet Union. The top-secret flight engineer who helped write NASA's Planetary Flight Handbook. The journalist who shone a spotlight on President Nixon's corruption during the Watergate hearings. These women may not have marble monuments marking their accomplishments, but wow: They got stuff done .

Great American Women

As many thousands of Americans travel to the nation's capital this weekend to express their support for women's rights at the Women's March on Washington, we salute the valuable contributions women make every day — to their communities and the world at large. Click through the photos below for a closer look at 30 remarkable American women whose lives have left lasting legacies in science, politics, sports, business, the arts, and other fields.

Vera Rubin (1928 - 2016), dark matter astrophysicist

Vera Rubin, a pioneering astrophysicist who confirmed the existence of dark matter, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, according to multiple news reports. She was 88.

International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day, a day meant to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. At Legacy.com, we're revisiting some of our past coverage exploring incredible women's life stories.

Women in Tech Share Thoughts on New School Inspired by "Queen of Code"

This month, a pioneering new school will open in New York City: Grace Hopper Academy.

Inspired by Sally Ride

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space – and also the youngest American in space – inspired generations of women.

Rachel Carson, Environmental Crusader

Half a century after Rachel Carson's death, her work toward a cleaner environment still resonates.

Remembering the Columbia Seven

Ten years ago today, the world witnessed a disaster when the disintegrated on reentry after a successful mission, killing the seven astronauts aboard. It was a shocking tragedy, leaving us to mourn yet another shuttle crew as we did in 1986 after the exploded shortly after lift-off.

Neil Armstrong and NASA: One Giant Leap

First man on the moon Neil Armstrong routinely credited the thousands of scientists, technicians, and others who made his historic flight possible.

Following Her Dream

Seventy years ago, women majoring in chemistry at Michigan State were told to seek jobs as secretaries or librarians. Marjorie Lesher Hunt did no such thing.

Dian Fossey, Friend of Gorillas

Dian Fossey would have turned 80 today. We remember the woman who spent her life fighting to save gorillas.

Grace Hopper, Computer Pioneer

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist.

Christa McAuliffe: Teacher, Astronaut

On Jan. 28, 1986, teacher Christa McAuliffe nearly became the first civilian in space.

Hedy Lamarr: Actress and Inventor

If you’re reading this over a Wi-Fi connection, you have Hedy Kiesler Markey to thank.