A Tribute to Women in Science

Dr. Seemin Rubab

AP, Physics, NIT Srinagar

drseeminrubab@gmail.com

Many women have contributed  toward the growth and development of science from the time immemorial.  Hypatia, Hildegard, Maria Sybellia, Madame du Chatlet, Sophie Germain, Agnesi  and others contributed immensely to science but many a times clandestinely.   Almost all of the above mentioned women were self taught.  Sophie Germain had to submit her work at Ecole Polytechnique under a male student’s name. It was however Madam Curie who changed the rule. She defied all norms and won two Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry. In doing so she inspired a whole lot of future women scientists and engineers. Her daughter Irene Curie-Joliot was also a Nobel laureate. Her grand-daughter Helene –Joliot-langevin is also a top physicist. India post honoured her by issuing a stamp in 1968 at her birth centenary. The stamp also shows radium treatment. She is also on the FDC of cancer awareness stamp.

Maria Montessori was trained as physician. She was the first female doctor of Italy. She then acquired degrees in psychology, anthropology and philosophy. She was the pioneer of Montessori-method of education. The basis of Montessori-method is that a child learns on its own and the teacher is only the facilitator of education.  Dr. Maria came to India in 1939 on the invitation of Theosophical society of India and remained here for ten years. She conducted Montessori training courses in India. India post honoured her by issuing a stamp in 1970 at her birth centenary.

Ida Scudder was another physician who made India her home.  She was a graduate from Cornell Medical College and her batch was the first when women were allowed admission. She started a dispensary and clinic for women in Vellore. Then she started Christian Medical College for women in Vellore in 1918. In 1945 the college was opened to men as well. A stamp issued on August 12, 2000 as part of centenary celebrations of Christian Medical College depicts the college chapel. The First-day cover portrays Dr Ida Scudder.

When we highlight contribution of women in science we generally fail to include the contributions of nurses and paramedical staff.  Nurses constitute a strong scientific and technical work force in health sector.  India post has not issued any commemorative stamp on nurses but nurses do feature on children day stamp and red-cross society stamp.

Indian Women in Aviation was the highlight of the philatelic release in 1998. The stamp was brought out to commemorate the contribution of Indian women in the realm of aviation. The concept by designer J.P. Irani has symbolically presented young women as commercial pilot, flier of IAF planes, and as an astronaut. Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian American astronaut and was the mission specialist on the space shuttle STS-87. She died on the return journey of the space shuttle Columbia.  She had conducted experiments on microgravity. She is portrayed on the stamp of Palau with other crew members.