In order to celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we asked some of our council members to reflect on women who inspire them. Here is what they said:
Dr Teodóra Szőcs – President:
“Mary W. Jackson is a fantastic example to me, as a woman who successfully overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become NASA’s first black female engineer in 1958 and a leader in ensuring equal opportunities for future generations. In 2021 the NASA Headquarters Building in Washington D.C. was officially renamed after her.”
Jane Dottridge – Secretary General:
“My top picks now, and my heroines when I was a child are Boudicca, queen of the Iceni, who led a rebellion against the romans. She is a symbol of the struggle for justice and independence.
And Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to go into space in 1963. I was 10 and they’d told me that girls can’t be astronauts.”
Valentina Rakhimova – Vice President, Eastern Europe and Central Asia:
“I am inspired by women that I know, such as Svitlana Lyubchik, a professor at the Universidade Lusófona in Portugal. We worked together on in-situ treatment results that I used for my thesis, and I was impressed by her ability to envision the final goals, set clear objectives, and effectively prioritize essential research areas. In general, I see all chemical scientists as a bit like magicians—creating new materials, enhancing substances, and unlocking their potential in fascinating ways. Her knowledge and dedication not only marked a milestone in chemical research but also demonstrated that women can excel in any field, under any circumstances.”
Aqeela Parker – Early Career Hydrogeologist Network Chair:
“While there are many remarkable women in science whom I deeply admire, my greatest inspirations have always been the women closest to me. My mom, Ghaneemah Williams, my grandmothers, Gadija Parker and the late Gadija Williams, and my aunt, Faheema Parker — these incredible women are true forces of nature. They have gracefully balanced the roles of mothers, career women, wives, sisters, and daughters, embodying both strength and kindness in all they do.
Their resilience is unmatched, and I aspire to carry that same grace and strength throughout my own journey — as a scientist, daughter, sister, wife, and, one day, mother.”
Ian Davey, Executive Manager:
“There are so many women I find inspirational in different ways. I would like to put forward Rosa Parks, for her role in insisting on the right to remain seated on a bus, a seemingly small act that contributed to the achievement of far more. I would also like to mention Laura Dekkers, who at the age of 16 sailed round the world single-handed, a phenomenal achievement. I’m not suggesting we should all try to do this, but we are probably capable of more than we think.”
