From Dr Sylvia Earle’s global conservation initiatives to Danielle Da Silva’s incredible stories of science told through a camera lens, championing the girls who rock science is something we love to do here at LTO. And today is no exception! With 11th February marking the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we thought what better time to shine a light on the inspiring girls making a splash in science?
Francesca Trotman and Andrea Biden
(aka LTO’s dream team)
Led by a powerhouse of wonderful women, we couldn’t start without mentioning our very own female superstars here at Love The Oceans. Francesca, our awesome Managing Director and Founder, and Andrea, our Executive Director, embody everything it means to be fearless girls smashing it in science.
From our beginnings in 2014 to where we are now, our non-profit has come a long way in 7 years, which would not be possible without the continued hard work and dedication of these amazing women.
From the introduction of community swimming lessons to classroom construction, Francesca and Andrea’s vision, with the support of an incredible team, has kept LTO’s passion for progress alive. In March we will be reflecting on past achievements and some of our visions for the future so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!
In addition to the amazing achievements of our very own women in ocean science, girls and women around the globe are making waves within and beyond the marine world. With female pioneers in all fields inspiring girls to dream big, young women are increasingly able to pursue science as their career of choice.
Rachel Carson
When it was published in 1962, Rachel Carson probably never imagined the far-reaching impact of her influential text, Silent Spring, which continues to offer profound insights on modern science. Carson opened the public’s eyes to human-inflicted environmental damage, while simultaneously battling intense criticism of her work for being a woman. But she didn’t let that stop her! Today Carson’s work is considered amongst the most important of the 20th century, setting the stage for girls in environmental science.
Jane Goodall
Possibly the first female we think of when we talk of conservationists, Jane Goodall is an all-round earth advocate. Known for her study of chimpanzees, her pioneering work broke down barriers for women previously considered too fragile to work in the field. Encouraging us to look differently at the way we see ourselves in the animal kingdom, Goodall invites us to get closer to nature, with the ultimate goal of inspiring us to protect it.
Everyone! (aka you!)
From scientific celebrities like Sylvia Earle to the lesser known names making trailblazing lab discoveries every day, there is no single set of criteria for women in science. Whether you’re 12 years old and running a cool science experiment in your backyard or someone fascinated by the world around you despite limited access to resources, there is space in science for every inquisitive mind.
Imposter syndrome is a common thing among many women in science, with a classic report published in Psychotherapy Theory, Research and Practice suggesting that as many as 70% of high-achieving women experience feelings of self-doubt.
This lack of belief is likely to be even greater among girls where their confidence is already low, exacerbated by limited access to educational resources and opportunities. By working with communities in Mozambique to provide girls with equal opportunity and respectfully build female empowerment into the culture, we hope to pave a future where empowered women can achieve great things.
And lastly…
Racking up more than 7000 hours underwater and referred to fondly as ‘Her Deepness,’ Dr Sylvia Earle is a shining role model for girls the world over. In the words of the legendary queen of the sea…
”The best scientists and explorers have the attributes of kids. They ask questions and have a sense of wonder. They have curiosity. Who, what, where, why, when, and how!”
The bottom line is that the best scientific magic happens when everybody comes together. So, regardless of the gender you identify, go out, be curious and don’t forget to embrace your child-like sparkle!
Written by Lily Holbrook.