Latest news with #MatildaEffect
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
What is the 'Matilda Effect'? How science became a man's world by dominance, not by merit
Imagine a child asked to draw a scientist. More often than not, the result is a white-haired man in a lab coat. This seemingly innocent image reveals a deep-rooted problem in the way we imagine—and teach—science: the erasure of women from its story. Behind this erasure is a historical pattern of systemic exclusion now known as the Matilda Effect , a term that names the injustice of women's scientific contributions being overlooked, ignored, or credited to their male counterparts. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare This isn't just a historical oversight—it's a deliberate distortion. The dominance of men in science has long been treated as natural or inevitable. But the truth is far more uncomfortable: it was orchestrated. From scientific discoveries to academic publishing, from career advancement to Nobel Prizes, women have been systematically pushed to the margins, not because they lacked merit, but because the system was never designed for them to succeed. The Forgotten Matildas of Science The Matilda Effect takes its name from Matilda Joslyn Gage , a 19th-century suffragist and writer who railed against the exclusion of women inventors and scientists. In an 1870 essay, Woman as Inventor , she dismantled the myth that women lacked creativity or scientific aptitude, arguing that tradition and prejudice—not ability—had kept them out of recognition. But it was only in 1993 that historian Margaret Rossiter gave Gage's observations a name and academic legitimacy. Since then, the term has become a rallying cry for scholars and activists working to unearth the buried legacies of female scientists . — TheAttagirls (@TheAttagirls) Consider the case of Lise Meitner , a physicist whose work was central to the discovery of nuclear fission. In 1945, her colleague Otto Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the breakthrough. Meitner, exiled and working in Sweden, got no mention. Letters between them later revealed Hahn's limited grasp of the physics involved—yet history remembers his name, not hers. This wasn't an isolated incident. In fields from biology to astronomy, women like Esther Lederberg and Jocelyn Bell Burnell made landmark discoveries, only to watch the accolades go to men. You Might Also Like: Stuck in a heated philosophical debate? Here is how 'Straw Man' and 'Steel Man' might just save the conversation Journalist Katie Hafner, producer of the podcast Lost Women of Science , describes this as 'a tragedy,' one that isn't confined to award snubs. 'It's about not being named in a study; to be just an asterisk or a footnote,' she says. The effect, she argues, has robbed generations of women of their due, while also denying the public a fuller understanding of how science actually works: as a collaborative, cumulative enterprise—not the solitary genius of the Great Man. Why Representation Still Matters While the 20th century saw major advances in women's education, their representation in STEM fields still lags significantly. According to UNESCO, women make up only 15% of students in computer science and 30% in engineering and construction. Even in more balanced sciences, like biology, the gender gap widens at higher levels of academia. In Spain, for instance, while women account for 49% of science students and 41% of researchers, few reach leadership positions or win major scientific awards. Part of the problem, according to Maite Paramio, president of AMIT (Association of Women Researchers and Technologists), is visibility. 'Girls don't aspire to what they can't see,' she explains. Without role models in textbooks or classrooms, young women lose interest in STEM fields by the time they reach higher education. Her organization runs initiatives like Una ingeniera en cada cole ('An engineer in every school'), where real-life female engineers meet students to share their journeys and dismantle the myths that still shape career choices. Paramio also leads the #NoMoreMatildas campaign, aimed at rewriting textbooks and correcting the historical record. The goal isn't just to honor the past, but to shape the future. 'It's about persistence,' she says. 'Insisting and resisting. The change is in our hands.' — WomenNewsVzla (@WomenNewsVzla) You Might Also Like: From stairs to restrooms: How a Palestinian-American designer's iconic symbols helped us make sense of the everyday modern world? More Than Just a Prize: The Gender Citation Gap Even today, the Matilda Effect seeps into academic publishing and citations. A growing body of research shows that papers authored by women are less likely to be cited than those by men, even when controlling for quality and topic. This citation gap affects career progression, grant approval, and public visibility—all essential ingredients in building a scientific legacy. This is where modern institutions can either perpetuate or dismantle the pattern. Joana Frontela, head of R&D at energy company Cepsa, notes that change must start early: 'If children grow up seeing women scientists and engineers, they'll choose more freely.' Cepsa, in partnership with the Fundación Cepsa and the Inspiring Girls Foundation, supports mentorship programs, school visits, and STEM campaigns to promote gender inclusion. A Future Worth Fighting For Progress is real—but slow. According to the UN, gender parity in science could still be two centuries away at current rates. But unlike the past, the barriers are now being named—and challenged. The Matilda Effect is not just a critique of history; it's a call to action. By confronting how science was shaped by patriarchy, we can begin to rebuild it with fairness at its core. Because when girls see themselves not just in the margins of the textbook, but in its central chapters, the world of science changes—for the better. You Might Also Like: What is the 'Michelangelo Phenomenon' in a relationship? The biggest green flag you should look for in your partner
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Celebrate Women's History Month: 14 Creative Ideas For Leaders
National Women's History Month is an opportunity for leaders to go beyond simple recognition and take meaningful action to support the contributions of women in their organizations. But what does that look like in practice? From spotlighting their achievements to investing in their long-term career growth, there are many ways to demonstrate a company's genuine commitment to uplifting women—not just in March but year-round. Below, 14 members of Forbes Coaches Council share some creative and impactful ways to celebrate and support women in the workplace, which in turn can help foster a culture where recognition and opportunity go hand in hand for every team member. Women want what everyone wants—respect, recognition and opportunity. Use National Women's History Month to highlight contributions, past and present. Acknowledge impact with a team gathering for a coffee break or a full-day event. Recognize achievements big and small, reinforcing that every role matters. Most importantly, honor women with equal opportunities, fair pay and a culture of respect. - Barbara Zuleger, Performance Partners Coaching Many DEI celebrations fall into brief acknowledgments without deep, personal engagement. A powerful approach is to host a 'Totality of Me' workshop. This exercise encourages employees to map and share their multifaceted identities—going beyond gender, background and roles. It fosters deeper connections and sees women as whole, unique people rather than as labels. - Dou Dou, Visions Alive Leaders can celebrate Women's History Month by creating a library of recorded interviews highlighting the diverse career paths of influential women in their organization. This builds a permanent, growing resource that centers women's voices rather than making them passive recipients of recognition, provides mentorship opportunities, aids retention and demonstrates commitment beyond March. - Keirsten Greggs, TRAP Recruiter, LLC In addition to highlighting female leadership within the company in March, consider activities and gatherings that celebrate women's contributions throughout the year. In science, there is even a term for erasing women's contribution: the Matilda Effect. Find opportunities to reverse the Matilda Effect by highlighting female leadership and ingenuity whenever possible. - Kelly Huang, Coach Kelly Huang Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify? Organizations must celebrate Women's History Month this year because it demonstrates what they truly value versus what they value when it is convenient and comfortable. To celebrate, hold an event or create a media campaign where male leaders recognize their greatest female mentors. This will showcase the contributions of women and their impact while demonstrating support from their male colleagues. - Jill Helmer, Jill Helmer Consulting Companies can celebrate women by recognizing their contributions in meaningful ways, starting with fair and equitable pay that reflects their talents and value. Beyond compensation, leaders can amplify women's voices by offering them key opportunities for leadership, mentorship and professional growth. Hosting storytelling sessions where women share their journeys, lessons and successes fosters inspiration and connection. - Veronica Angela, CONQUER EDGE, LLC Create a 'Future Women Leaders Fund,' offering mentorship, executive coaching or professional development grants to high-potential women within the company. Instead of one-off appreciation posts, this initiative creates a lasting impact by directly investing in women's growth and leadership paths. Recognition matters, but opening doors and making opportunities tangible matters more. - Alla Adam, Adam Impact Institute One suggestion is highlighting how women across all levels have contributed to achieving organizational goals and uplifting others. Invite presenters to share specific outcomes, such as improved team performance or mentorship successes, through short talks or visual displays. By spotlighting these efforts, leaders reinforce a culture of recognition and inspire continued growth in March and beyond. - Kerri Sutey, Sutey Coaching & Consulting LLC Company leaders can go beyond symbolic gestures by amplifying women's voices—host a panel of female leaders, spotlight their contributions and commit to real mentorship and sponsorship opportunities. Do more than one of these throughout the month. Actions speak louder than words, and investing in women's growth strengthens innovation, engagement and equity—benefiting the entire organization. - Lynda Silsbee, Alliance for Leadership Acceleration Create a large poster made up of headshots of women from across the organization. Post it during March. To obtain engagement, host a professional headshot day. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or too costly. Take pictures in iconic places within your worksites that make the women the stars in front of amazing backgrounds. This poster will enhance their visibility and confidence and become a keepsake. - Miriam Simon, Mi Sí Coaching and Consulting LLC Speak to women's contributions every day, not just during the month of March. Give your female employees the opportunity to spotlight their contributions, passions and strengths as a means of sponsoring their work—create a stage for them to speak to their impact beyond Women's History Month. - Suzanne Weller, Weller Collaboration Flip the script. Instead of just praising women, hand them the mic. Let women across all levels take over leadership meetings, company town halls or social channels for a day—sharing their insights, challenges and visions for the future. The real celebration isn't about words; it's about giving women the power to be heard, be seen and truly lead. Lengthen this period beyond the month, too! - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory Companies can celebrate women similarly to planning a birthday party for oneself—for a milestone you're truly dreading and knowing nobody is going to show up. If you want to honor and celebrate women, use AI to generate a list of conversation starters and learn how you can take the initiative to help! Be part of a solution and a bystander no more. Protect females from a scary world. These women are also fighting for your little girls. - Kinga Vajda, Execute Your Intentions, LLC To demonstrate commitment to gender diversity and inclusion and create a more welcoming and supportive environment for women, create a 'Women in Leadership' spotlight series. Feature a different woman leader from a different level of the company each week. This provides visibility and recognition for women's contributions while showcasing their achievements and inspiring others. - Donna Grego-Heintz, UpWords
