Women are still underrepresented in science and technology careers. To celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we want to highlight 5 extraordinary women who have been pioneers in marine sciences. Their inspiring stories, the challenges and achievements, serve as a reminder of how far we have come since the time when women were considered bad luck on ships. Nonetheless, gender equality remains an ongoing problem.
Personally, I have been fortunate to work in research groups that have been very inclusive. The only time I have experienced changes in attitudes towards women in science was during fieldwork. Our team at the station of the Mingan Island Cetacean Study consists mainly of women, who don’t bat an eyelash when they carry heavy fuel tanks, navigate the boats into the harbour, or collect biopsy samples from whales. Visitors to the station seem surprised to see women doing such “tough” jobs, commenting on how strong we are and how well we all work together as a team (implying “despite being women”). Once, a tourist nervously looked at my friend as she was about to reverse the pickup truck and trailer down a ramp and he offered her to do the reversing for her. She waved him off with one hand, telling him “I’ve got this”.