Science & Innovation
Innovation is about more than inventing something new; it is about transforming and iterating on existing products, processes, or ideas. Women bring the full force of intellectual curiosity, imagination, and skills to bear on the problems, ideas, technologies of their time, producing life-changing innovations in fields as varied as science, technology, medicine, art, business, and politics.
Collection Objects
Learn the stories of these women or explore more collections related to women in science.
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A Microscope, A Unique Vision, and a Nobel-Prize Winning Discovery -
Hollywood Beauty Hedy Lamarr Devised Military Technology -
Mae Jemison: The First Female African American Astronaut -
Ruby Hirose, Lauded Japanese American Scientist -
On Mountains and Picket Lines, Botanist Agnes Chase Changed Views of Women -
Breaking into Planetary Science and Exploring the Solar System
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Unknown to most, Roxy Laybourne was a pioneer in forensic ornithology whose work greatly improved the safety of flight. Carla Dove, program director of the National Museum of Natural History's Feather Identification Lab, shares the story of Laybourne.
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Margaret Weitekamp, a curator of space history at the National Air and Space Museum, talks about Sally Ride's role as the first American woman in space, and how her leadership changed the perception of women in science.
Smithsonian American Women
