Women In Astronomy: International Women's Day

Showing posts with label International Women's Day. Show all posts

Friday, March 10, 2023

AASWomen Newsletter for March 10, 2023

AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of March 10, 2023
eds: Jeremy Bailin, Nicolle Zellner, Sethanne Howard, and Hannah Jang-Condell

[We hope you all are taking care of yourselves and each other. --eds.]

This week's issues:

Google Doodle honors International Women's Day

1. International Women's Day
2. Updated Information: NASA Planetary Science Summer School
3. Three Space Station Women Engineers
4. Maria Mitchell: America’s first female astronomer
5. Female astronauts keep making strides off Earth
6. Shooting the sky: Meet the women astrophotographers capturing the beauty of the Milky Way in Qatar
7. Job Opportunities
8. How to Submit to the AASWomen Newsletter
9. How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the AASWomen Newsletter
10. Access to Past Issues of the AASWomen Newsletter

An online version of this newsletter will be available at http://womeninastronomy.blogspot.com/ at 3:00 PM ET every Friday.

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1. International Women's Day
From: Sethanne Howard via womeninastronomy.blogspot.com

March 8, 2023 is International Women’s Day (IWD), with a theme to “Embrace Equity”. As IWD staff write, “Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA. And it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.”

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equity means creating an inclusive world.

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2. Updated Information: NASA Planetary Science Summer School
From: Joyce Armijo [joyce.e.armijo_at_jpl.nasa.gov]

Now through March 27, 2023, NASA is encouraging applications for its 35th Annual Planetary Science Summer School. Offered by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, PSSS is a 3-month long early career development experience to help prepare the next generation of planetary science and engineering mission leaders. Participants learn the process of developing a science hypothesis-driven robotic space mission in a concurrent engineering environment while getting an in-depth, first-hand look at mission design, life cycle, costs, schedule and the trade-offs inherent in each.

A recording of the PSSS Informational Application Q&A webinar held on February 14 is available at

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/intern/apply/nasa-science-mission-design-schools/

To apply and learn more about the NASA Science Mission Design Schools:

http://go.nasa.gov/missiondesignschools

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3. Three Space Station Women Engineers
From Sethanne Howard [sethanneh_at_msn.com]

by Heather Deiss, NASA

Women of the International Space Station Program’s workforce are trailblazers and contribute to the success of the orbiting laboratory in remarkable ways. From program management to research or mission integration, the numerous space station teams are rich with women engineers who work hard on the ground to ensure the seamless operation of the orbiting laboratory 250 miles above.

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4. Maria Mitchell: America’s first female astronomer
From: Jeremy Bailin [jbailin_at_ua.edu]

“First, no woman should say, 'I am but a woman!' But a woman! What more can you ask to be?” - Maria Mitchell

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5. Female astronauts keep making strides off Earth
From: Jeremy Bailin [jbailin_at_ua.edu]

By Elizabeth Howell

More than 60 years after human spaceflight began in 1961, genders other than male make up only about 10% of astronauts and space tourists. But diversity is starting to accelerate, with recent notable spaceflights of women including an octogenarian, a cancer survivor with a prothesis and a Black female pilot. NASA also pledges that a woman will be on its Artemis 3 mission, which aims to land on the moon as soon as 2025.

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6. Shooting the sky: Meet the women astrophotographers capturing the beauty of the Milky Way in Qatar

From: Jeremy Bailin [jbailin_at_ua.edu]

By Chaitra Arjunpuri

It’s new moon day and that season again. She double-checks her camera, carefully attaching the wide-angle lens. She keeps extra memory cards, batteries, a headlamp, a remote, and an intervalometer in the separate padded sections in the backpack, before slipping the tripod in the dedicated attachment. She’s all geared up to travel from Doha to a location with the least light pollution. She and her three friends have waited for this day and are excited to be under the stars, staying the whole night out in the desert, capturing the stars.

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7. Job Opportunities

For those interested in increasing excellence and diversity in their organizations, a list of resources and advice is here:

https://aas.org/comms/cswa/resources/Diversity#howtoincrease

- Tenure-Track Position in Planetary Science and Instrumentation, University of Hawaii
https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hawaiiedu (search on 0086576)

- Tenure-Track Position in Materials Science and Mineral Physics, University of Hawaii
https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hawaiiedu (search on 0086226)

- Postdoc in Exoplanets at Louisiana State University
https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/984986d7

- Lecturer, Astronomy Department, University of Maryland
https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/105248

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8. How to Submit to the AASWOMEN newsletter

To submit an item to the AASWOMEN newsletter, including replies to topics, send email to aaswomen_at_lists.aas.org .

All material will be posted unless you tell us otherwise, including your email address.

When submitting a job posting for inclusion in the newsletter, please include a one-line description and a link to the full job posting.

Please remember to replace "_at_" in the e-mail address above.

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9. How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the AASWOMEN newsletter

Join AAS Women List through the online portal:

To Subscribe, go to https://aas.simplelists.com, and in the "Subscribe" area, add in your name, email address, select "The AASWomen Weekly Newsletter", and click subscribe. You will be sent an email with a link to click to confirm subscription.

To unsubscribe from AAS Women by email:

Go to https://aas.simplelists.com, in the "My account and unsubscriptions", type your email address. You will receive an email with a link to access your account, from there you can click the unsubscribe link for this mailing list.

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10. Access to Past Issues

https://aas.org/comms/cswa/AASWOMEN

Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

International Women's Day

Posted by Nicolle Zellner

By Sethanne Howard

The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign is to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

Read more about this at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EquityEquality.

Embracing Equity (image credit: IWD website)

Friday, March 12, 2021

International Women's Day II: Profiles of women who have made historical contributions to astronomy

Posted by Jeremy Bailin

In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2021, there have been a number of recent profiles of women who have made historical contributions to astronomy and space science.

AWIS celebrates the many achievements of women scientists

The Association for Women in Science celebrates the achievements of many women scientists, including astronomer Maria Mitchell, astronaut Mae Jemison, and mathematician Katherine Johnson.

Three women from our past who paved the way for women in science today

"It wasn’t that long ago that women had to fight for a spot on the team, a turn at a telescope, or even just to walk in the door. Today, the [Carnegie Science] Earth and Planets Laboratory has 21 female scientists on campus including staff scientists, postdocs, and scientific support staff working to enhance our understanding of the world around us. A lot has changed since the first woman joined our campus, but there is still a lot of work to be done to promote diversity and equality on campus and across the sciences.

In this article, we highlight the work of three Earth and Planets Laboratory (previously Department of Terrestrial Magnetism and Geophysical Laboratory) scientists who paved the way."

Pluto crater named for female engineer who helped bring the planet into focus

"When NASA's New Horizons spacecraft came to within 7,800 miles (12,550 kilometers) of Pluto in July 2015, aerospace engineer Lisa Hardaway saw the fruits of more than a decade of her labor come into sharp focus. In a few brief seconds, the Ralph imager and spectrometer, a scientific instrument onboard the spacecraft, collected color images and compositional maps that would soon ripple around the globe, inspiring awe and fascination of the farthest body then explored by humankind.

Sadly, Hardaway passed away almost two years after those iconic moments, in January 2017, at the age of 50."

International Women's Day I: Profiles of women making current contributions to astronomy

Posted by Jeremy Bailin

In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2021, there have been a number of recent profiles of women making current contributions to astronomy, astrophysics, and space science.

Dr Rohini Godbole Talks About Her Journey in Particle Physics, Women in Science and More
By Mrigakshi Dixit

"Dr Rohini M Godbole, a renowned particle physicist from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, has proved her mettle in the field of science not just in India but across the globe. Dr Rohini, who hails from Pune, Maharashtra, started her scientific career way back in 1969 when even a journey from Pune to Delhi was a challenge for a girl. Despite all odds, her passion and curiosity kept her going. Today, in addition to being a popular scientist, she is also a science communicator, an author and an avid supporter of women in science.

Dr Rohini’s work mainly focuses on the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics, a theory that describes the fundamental forces in the universe. For her valuable work, Dr Rohini was recently felicitated with the prestigious Ordre National Du Merite or National Order of Merit—among the highest distinctions of France. Moreover, she has also been bestowed with the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India in 2019.

On the occasion of International Women Day, we spoke to Dr Rohini to know about her journey in science, a career in particle physics, her famous book Lilavati’s daughter and her overall experience as a leading woman scientist in the world."

Why astrophysicist Prajval Shastri believes that gender discrimination must not be perpetuated at institutions by teachers
By Rashmi Patil

"Prajval Shastri, an astrophysicist speaks about gender bias in the academic institutions especially in the field of Science and her love for research, why she pursued astrophysics and much more."

These women are shaping the future of African space exploration
By Samantha Bresnahan

Interviews with four African women leaders in astronomy and space exploration: Pontsho Maruping, deputy managing director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, Jessie Ndaba, aerospace engineer and co-founder of the satellite startup Astrofica, Adriana Marais, physicist and astronaut candidate, and Ruvimbo Samanga, space lawyer and Zimbabwean representative on the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Françoise Combes: gazing at the stars and working to reverse science stereotypes
By Dhananjay Khadilkar

"The French astrophysicist Professor Françoise Combes was recently conferred with two prestigious honours. The 68-year-old was awarded the CNRS Gold Medal for 2020 while, in February, she was named as one of the five laureates of the L’Oréal-Unesco Women In Science Award for 2021.

During her career, Professor Combes has made several significant contributions to astrophysics, including analysing the dynamics of galaxies and the discovery of molecules in the interstellar medium. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, RFI’s Dhananjay Khadilkar spoke to Professor Combes about her research and the challenges women face while pursuing a scientific career."

Two scientists reflect on what they learnt on historic Antarctic voyages designed to transform them into leaders

UNSW astrophysicist Sarah Brough and marine biologist Steph Gardner reflect on their experience on the Homework Bound leadership program, a 10-year project that aims to annually lead an international group of female scientists on an Antarctic journey to transform them into leaders that will make meaningful change.

Friday, March 11, 2016

AASWOMEN Newsletter for March 11, 2016

Posted by Nicolle Zellner

AAS Committee on the Status of Women

Issue of March 11, 2016

eds: Daryl Haggard, Nicolle Zellner, Elysse Voyer, & Heather Flewelling

This week's issues:

1. Transitioning as a Junior Astronomer

2. Postdoctoral Fellow Highlight: Dr. Lia Corrales

3. March is Women’s History Month

4. The costs of inequality: For women, progress until they get near power

5. 22 women of science who changed the world

6. APS Addresses Sexual Harassment Scandals

7. How to Recruit and Retain Underrepresented Minorities

8. 'Critical shortage' of women in science jobs, report finds

9. Job Opportunities

10. How to Submit to the AASWomen Newsletter

11. How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe to the AASWomen Newsletter

12. Access to Past Issues of the AASWomen Newsletter

International's Women Day - Taking Stock

Posted by Unknown

Not us, nor our daughters, nor our granddaughters, but perhaps our great, great granddaughters, 80 years from now, will come of age in a world with global gender equality, according to projections by the World Economic Forum. There's much to debate about those projections, but in tribute to International Women’s Day, I thought our readers might appreciate a compilation of country comparisons – where does your country stand today with respect to gender equity?

100th International Women's Day

Posted by Hannah

Today is the 100th International Women's Day!

It's a good time to remember how far women have come in astronomy. It's a far cry from the days when Margaret Burbridge had to apply for telescope time in her husband's name. Some would argue that we've come so far that the fight is over.

But to declare the fight over would ignore those who still face discrimination or harassment even now. While women make up a third of astronomy graduate students these days, only 11% of tenured faculty are women (numbers taken from the Decadel Survey). Not to mention that the brightest girls are often discouraged from living up to their full potential. On the other hand, having female role models goes a long way toward keeping women and girls in science.

Anyway, Happy International Women's Day to all the women in astronomy out there! Reach for the stars!

Monday, March 8, 2010

International Women's Day!