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Have you ever heard of Yvonne Brill? Or Grace Murray Hopper? Or Annie Jump Cannon? To our shame, we hadn’t either — until we read Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science – And the World by Rachel Swaby. Here’s why we think it should be essential reading for teens, and especially for anyone with an interest in STEM careers.
Here at MyKidsTime, we’re passionate about encouraging kids to be interested in STEM — particularly girls, who are so often discouraged from entering those fields. Part of the challenge is a lack of visible role models. Part of it is helping parents see these careers as genuinely exciting options for their children.
Having read Headstrong, we believe this book can help on both fronts. It’s an inspiring, insightful profile of fifty-two of history’s brightest female scientists.
Before reading the book, we had only heard of four of the women featured — Hedy Lamarr, Florence Nightingale (and only in the context of nursing), Ada Lovelace and Sally Ride. That gap is exactly the problem the book sets out to fix.
Yvonne Brill. Photo via the Winnipeg Sun.
In 2013, the New York Times published an obituary for Yvonne Brill. It began: “She made a mean beef stroganoff, followed her husband from job to job, and took eight years off from work to raise three children.”
It wasn’t until the second paragraph that readers discovered why the Times had devoted several hundred words to her life: Brill was a brilliant rocket scientist who invented a propulsion system to keep communications satellites in orbit, and had recently been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
The obituary — and the outcry it prompted — raised an important question: who are the role models for today’s female scientists, and where can we find the stories that cast them in their true light?
Headstrong delivers a powerful, global, engaging response. Covering Nobel Prize winners and major innovators, as well as lesser-known but hugely significant scientists whose work shapes our everyday lives, Rachel Swaby’s vibrant profiles span centuries of courageous thinkers. Each entry traces a scientist’s journey from their first spark of curiosity through to the research and discovery for which they’re best known.
Even if you’re not especially into science, technology or engineering, the stories themselves are fascinating. Most of these women were driven, determined, and kept going despite a culture that repeatedly told them they shouldn’t.
A small sample of the fifty-two
Without these women, some of the most important discoveries and advances in STEM simply wouldn’t have happened. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find inside:
- Wrinkle-free cotton — thank Ruth Benerito for the end of endless ironing.
- Tailored cancer treatments and drug deliveries — researched and tested by Jane Wright.
- The discovery of the structure of DNA — did you know Rosalind Franklin’s research was ahead of Crick & Watson’s, and that her work was handed over without her permission to the men later credited with the discovery?
- COBOL, one of the most enduring programming languages — invented by Grace Murray Hopper, who also coined the term “bug” for a computer glitch.
Grace Murray Hopper
Why it’s worth picking up
If you love science, technology, engineering or maths — read this book. If you love a good story about people who overcame huge odds to change the world — read this book. And if you have a child or teen with any curiosity about STEM, put this one in their hands.
FAQs
Who is Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science – And the World by?
It’s written by science journalist Rachel Swaby, and profiles fifty-two women whose scientific work has had a major impact on the world.
Is Headstrong suitable for teens?
Yes. The profiles are short, accessible and engaging, making the book a great pick for teens — particularly those curious about STEM subjects or careers.
Do you need a science background to enjoy the book?
No. The stories are written for a general audience and focus as much on each woman’s personal journey and determination as on the science itself.
Why is a book like this important for encouraging girls into STEM?
Visible role models matter. Many of the women in this book achieved extraordinary things but remain largely unknown, and reading about them can help girls (and boys) see STEM careers as achievable and exciting.
You might also like
- Great Books to Inspire Kids Interested in Science
- Encouraging Girls into STEM: Tips for Parents
- Fun STEM Activities to Try at Home
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