50 Women in Technology

As a woman who works in STEM, I was really looking forward to reading this book. It did not disappoint. A breakdown of the last 75 years of scientific advancement opened the book, sorted chronologically. Then It focused on women who were pioneers in technology, starting with Ada Lovelace. The last section was about modern women in technology, and was really interesting. Even as someone who works in STEM, I learned a lot and there are women I intend to look into further.

Celebrating trailblazers past and present, this book pays tribute to pioneering women in STEM fields. It profiles 25 historical innovators like Ada Lovelace while also featuring over 26 exclusive interviews with today's extraordinary women driving advancements in technology.

This book is engaging, informative, and easy to read. The interviews will be especially interesting for students interested in a STEM career.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Ines Almeida, Georgina Ferry, Bridget Greenwood, 50 Women in Technology Pioneers and Trailblazers in STEM, Aurora Metro Supernova Books, November 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

As I have kindle download, I am unable to comment on the full colour nature of the book. However, I am pleased to be able to comment on the text of this most useful work. In particular, the combination of the stories of early women in technology, and those of today; discussion of unequal pay in the sciences; the excellent section on depiction of scientists in school studies and popular culture; and the writers’ experience imparts the information with heft as well as being accessible read.

More well-known names such as Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, Hedy Lamarr are represented. However, they are joined by women who, although known in scientific circles have not entered popular culture about women in technology. Bridget Greenwood’s foreword sets out the purpose of this book – to enhance public knowledge of the women pioneers in technology. She suggests that the change that has been effected, is only a start, that more needs to be done to encourage women into technology and to keep them there. Quotations from uncorrected proofs cannot be included in reviews, so it is impossible to replicate some of the pithy and inspirational propositions included throughout the book – both from its editors and the women they to whom they give a voice. Suffice to say, they make an effective voice for these women.

Today’s women in technology, such as Emily Holmes (a psychologist working on mental imagery); Ida Tin, the CEO of Clue (a menstruation tracking app); Marita Cheng (Young Australian of the Year 2012); and Stephanie Willwerth who runs an interdisciplinary program at the University of Victoria, provide some wonderful interviews. Please note that these descriptions are brief and cannot convey the value of their work and discussion s of that work.

There are some fascinating photos – it is impossible to go past those of the mainframe computers from the 1950s even if they are familiar. Similarly, the Bletchley Park story is familiar – at least in its broad-brush strokes. Here there is detail, not only about the women’s work and their aptitude, but the fight to achieve anything like parity with men in occupations, wages and status. The book ends with a comprehensive index.

Awesome inspiration to read about women in technology, science and astronomy of past and present. I enjoyed reading the stories and interviews which represented great achievements of women in different industries, research and innovation fields. This book can teach curiosity and believing in yourself, working through milestones and celebrating wins.

This was a wonderful collection of stories about women in technology, 50 women to be exact. Yes, I knew of some of these women, like Katherine Johnson and Marie Curie, but I learned about so many more. I was particularly interested in those involved in the biotech field and my reading has excited me to do some more research about the work of these women. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't put down this book- and I did not expect to be so engrossed in non fiction! I knew of many of the women presented in the first part, but not all, and going through their stories was mesmerizing- and then I got to the second part! Women at their top of their field from such different sectors and walks of life are presented in more details than their historic counterparts. It made me excited about domains I hadn't even heard about! This book is wonderful at any age, but as a teenager it would have been so inspiring to read! Recommended to everyone!

In 50 Women in Technology, Georgina Ferry presents a vibrant tribute to the trailblazing women who have shaped and continue to shape the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This beautifully illustrated book profiles 25 historical figures, such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, alongside 26 contemporary innovators, including Katalin Kariko, the 2023 Nobel Prize winner for Medicine.

The book's structure is both engaging and informative. The first section highlights historical pioneers, offering concise but rich narratives that capture the essence of their contributions and challenges. From the mathematical genius of Ada Lovelace to the groundbreaking discoveries of Rosalind Franklin, these stories celebrate the perseverance and brilliance of women who paved the way in male-dominated fields. The inclusion of lesser-known figures, like Hertha Ayrton and Evelyn Berezin, provides readers with a broader understanding of women's impact on technology and science.

The second section brings readers into the present, showcasing the voices and achievements of contemporary women in STEM through exclusive interviews. These interviews offer a glimpse into the lives of today's innovators, such as Amalia Ballarino, a nuclear engineer, and Brenda Romero, a video game designer. The diverse backgrounds and specializations of these women—from cryptocurrency to environmental tech—highlight the wide range of opportunities in the STEM fields and the dynamic nature of technological advancements.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

An inspiring collection that shines a much-deserved spotlight on the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

From Katalin Kariko's pivotal work on mRNA technology to Marita Cheng's efforts to empower young women in robotics, each profile in this volume offers a glimpse into the remarkable journeys and diverse experiences of these trailblazers. The book's diverse representation, spanning fields such as computer science, aerospace engineering, and materials science, underscores the breadth and depth of women's impact on the STEM landscape.