Super Women: Six Scientists Who Changed the World

by Laurie Lawlor

Overview

Break through the glass ceiling with six incredible women whose scientific research changed the world.

Katherine Coleman Johnson. Eugenie Clark. Marie Tharp. Gertrude Elion. Florence Hawley Ellis. Eleanor Margaret Burbidge. Acclaimed author Laurie Lawlor deftly paints portraits of each of these figures who refused to take no for an answer, pursuing their passions through fieldwork, observations, laboratories, and research vessels in the face of sexism, racism, and more. This diverse group of women, all with awe-inspiring accomplishments, were active mentors and determined people who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The beautifully written book includes key photographs, a glossary, and source notes.

A 2018 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823441860
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	01/15/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	421,067
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Laurie Lawlor's books have appeared on many notable lists, including ALA Notable Children's Books, the ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. Her picture book biography Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World won a Green Earth Book Award Honor and a John Burroughs Riverby award. She lives in Evanston, Illinois.

Table of Contents

Introduction v

1 Eugenic Clark 1

2 Gertrude Elion 8

3 Katherine Coleman Johnson 16

4 Marie Tharp 23

5 Florence Hawley Ellis 31

6 Eleanor Margaret Burbidge 41

Acknowledgments 50

Glossary 51

Sources 53

Source Notes 55

Picture Credits 57

Index 58

Editorial Reviews

* "Lawlor paints powerful portrayals of those who overcame barriers and refused to quit, forcing them to find creative ways to succeed in their careers. . . . The bravery and high achievements of these six women have been and continue to be an inspiration to kids with big scientific dreams."—Booklist, Starred Review

"Inspiring profiles of six 20th-century trailblazers."—Kirkus Reviews

An NCSS / CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

From the Publisher

06/01/2017
Gr 5 Up—This compilation of short biographies of six pioneering women scientists is a welcome and fascinating addition to STEM resources. Several of these women are lesser known, but some readers will recognize Katherine Coleman Johnson, the central subject of the hit movie Hidden Figures. All six women overcame great prejudice and bias in scientific fields such as aerospace, marine biology, oceanography, archaeology, astronomy, and medical research. The biographies are short but thorough and illustrated with black-and-white photographs of the scientists and their work. All the entries highlight the women's determination, dedication, strength, and passion. Almost all mention the impact of early support, demonstrating the power of affirming adults in the lives of children. The book also emphasizes the power of teamwork. These women endured insults, poor working conditions, condescension, and restricted access to equipment and information simply because of their gender. Put this in students' hands to inspire and encourage scientific pursuits. VERDICT This book hits the right notes—women, biography, and STEM—and does it excellently. Buy for school and public libraries.—Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

School Library Journal

2017-02-01
Inspiring profiles of six 20th-century trailblazers.Aside from "Shark Lady" Eugenie Clark and, thanks to attention inspired by recent histories and a film, NASA "computer" Katherine Coleman Johnson, Lawlor's subjects will likely be new to young readers. All were, as the author puts it, struck by "thunderbolts of discrimination" for being women and, in the cases of Clark (whose mother was Japanese) and Johnson (who was African-American), people "of color." Nevertheless, they persevered, made important discoveries in their varied fields, and, eventually at least, earned significant recognition. Photos and direct quotes appear but sparingly in the narratives, but readers will come away with some sense of each groundbreaker's character and private life to go with concise but lucid explanations of her contributions. If some of the obstacles they faced seem ridiculous to contemporary readers—in order to use the Mount Wilson Observatory in the mid-1950s, for instance, "quasar hunter" Eleanor Margaret Burbidge had to pose as her husband's assistant and could not use the dining hall or bathroom—even now no one will argue that the playing field has leveled for women in the sciences. A handful of new role models, along with light shed on just who made certain significant advances in astronomy, archaeology, biology, medicine, and plate tectonics. (bibliography) (Collective biography. 11-15)

Kirkus Reviews