Beatrix Potter And Other Pioneering Women Of Science

Rebecca Varidel
6th Mar 2018

What do the discoveries of plate tectonics, sex chromosomes and the role of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect all have in common? They were all discoveries made by women.

Marie Tharp mapped the mid-Atlantic ridge, thus vindicating the theory of plate tectonics, showing how the continents were moving.

Nettie Stevens discovered sex chromosomes, the pieces of DNA that determine the sex of individuals.

And Eunice Foote discovered the greenhouse effect, by recognizing the link between carbon dioxide concentration and global warming.

As for well-known children’s author Beatrix Potter, she was also a talented mycologist—someone who studies fungi. Beatrix meticulously observed fungi growing and made hundreds of scientifically accurate paintings of different species during her lifetime.

Macquarie University’s Distinguished Professors Lesley Hughes and Michael Gillings have collected the stories of these women and many other great female scientists for a photo exhibition entitled Hidden Figures of STEMM.

Hidden Figures of STEMM Photo Exhibition celebrates women in science at Macquarie University E7A foyer this week until Friday March 9th.