March 8th - International Women's Day Le 8 mars - La Journée internationale des femmes

Canadian Women in Science Newton was the senior plant pathologist for the Federal Department of Agriculture. Her research helped develop stronger types of wheat that can be grown anywhere. Her work was featured at international scientific conventions in Europe, US and Russia. Derrick was the first professor to teach evolution and genetics at McGill University (1912-1929). Her research on heredity was recognized worldwide. It helped plant the seed for the study of genetics. First Canadian female nuclear physicist. Pitcher’s research helped early scientists understand radioactivity and the structure of the atom (the smallest unit of matter in the universe). MacGill was the first woman aircraft designer in the world. She is well-known for modifying a WWII plane for it to be flown in cold weather. Hogg developed a technique for measuring the distance of galaxies beyond the Milky Way. Her observations are in catalogues which are still used today. She inspired many women to enter science and helped popularize astronomy in Canada. Les femmes canadiennes en science

Canadian Women in Science A pilot, Payette became the first Canadian on board the International Space Station. She also has extensive experience in electrical and computer engineering. Her research focused on computer systems, automatic speech recognition and natural language processing. She was interested in how interactive technology could be used in space. Franklin invented a technique called archaeometry. She used it to help analyze the level of radioactivity present in children’s teeth after nuclear weapon’s testing. Her research helped influence the US government to stop nuclear testing in the atmosphere. Payne is a mineral engineer. She developed a new method to search for gas and oil. In the mid-1990s she started her own business, Arctic Enterprises Limited. Cannon is a geomatics engineer. Her work includes new satellite navigation systems and methods. Cannon is interested in research areas such as navigation, farming and aircraft inspection. Dr. Bondar was the first neurologist in space and Canada’s first woman astronaut in space. Her research was how the brain responds to unfamiliar environments, including the zero gravity environment of space.

Canadian Women in Science Dr. Radisic discovered a way to grow new heart tissue to patch damaged heart tissue. She is an advocate for women in engineering and is involved in outreach activities to promote opportunities for women in the STEM fields. Vingilis-Jaremko was nine when she began the Canadian Association for Girls in Science, which helps nurture girls’ scientific interests. The first organization in Canada aimed at girls in science, it currently has over 3000 members. A biologist and psychologist, she has also written books targeted to girls in which the main character solves mysteries using her science knowledge. A mechanical engineer, Croft researches how people work with robots. Her interest lies in how robots could be adapted to help us. This could have an impact on healthcare and assistive technology as well as manufacturing. Croft created an engineering mentoring program for students, linking them to professionals in their field. At just 16 years of age, Song won an international competition for developing a more nutritious lentil. Rui is researching a method of combining all of the best qualities in lentils, including: disease resistant, high yielding and high nutritional value. A civil engineer, Morin researches the effects that cyclones, flooding, wind and water have on communities. She has travelled to southeast Asia and the Caribbean due to her studies in disaster preparedness. Her work helps us to better understand the impacts of natural disasters on populations worldwide.