THE list of women whose contributions to science have been forgotten, overshadowed or even deliberately effaced is long and depressing. It includes such brilliant scientists as Rosalind Franklin, Lise Meitner, Emmy Noether and Gerty Cori. They have at least secured some recognition, albeit belatedly and often begrudgingly: others have never been given their due.
So last month’s Royal Society-sponsored “edit-a-thon”, aimed at creating decent Wikipedia entries for some of the female scientists who continue to languish in obscurity, is to be applauded.
One of those was Marthe Gautier, who has spoken out after half a century to claim that she did not receive due credit for her part in the discovery of the cause of Down’s syndrome (see “Who really decoded Down’s syndrome?“). Gautier says she feared being erased from history. But the events took place so long ago that her claim may never be settled.
Even so, Gautier should be an inspiration to other female scientists who feel they have been wronged. Some of the historical examples are so egregious that science can at least be said to be progressing. But it is still a sexist profession. Until contributions made by women – past and present – are recognised in full, that will not change.
This article appeared in print under the headline “Stand up and be counted”
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