Women and Science - Challenges and Difficulties. A personal point of view. Chrystalla Papademetri 8 March 2008 (Woman’s Day) Science Camp for Girls Learning in Science Group University of Cyprus

Marie Curie (1867-1934) Marie Curie’s ‘firsts’: she was the first to use the term ‘radioactivity’; she was the first European woman to receive a PhD in science, she was the first woman awarded a Noble Prize (Noble Prize in Science, 1903), she was the first female professor at Paris University she was the first (and only person) to win two Nobel Prizes in different science fields (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1911).

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova (1937) First woman to fly in space, aboard Vostok 6 on 16 June 1963.

Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) First woman to graduate from medical school (M.D.) and a pioneer in educating women in medicine.

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) Montessori, founder of the Montessori method of education was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome La Sapienza Medical School.

KHERTEK ANCHIMAA-TOKA The first woman president in the world was of the Republic of Tuva was elected as Chairman of the Presidium from 1940 to 11.10.1944.

Graduation Ceremony Institute of Education University of London 4 March 2008 PhD Graduates

I owe the ‘luxury’ I had to pursue my dreams to those women that did not accept the reality of their era but decided to create their own reality. Because she was female, Marie Curie was denied admission to a regular university in her homeland Poland. This did not prevent her from pursuing her dreams.

What is essential for progress? The ability to solve problems Critical thinking Creative thinking (creative stance towards life)

The creative mind …. is curious seeks for problems enjoys challenges is optimistic is open to criticism is imaginative faces problems as a big opportunity to learn isn’t afraid to take risks isn’t afraid of failure believes that all problems have solutions

The creative mind …. believes that there is possibly a better solution to a problem sees something good even in bad situations is flexible accepts mistakes as an important part of learning isn’t afraid to break the rules never says ‘I can’t’ doesn’t always try to solve problems with logic is persistence, doesn’t give up easily, works hard According to Thomas Edison (inventor of the incandescent light globe) ‘genius is 99% persistence and 1% inspiration. Edison tried more than 2380 possibilities for a coating for the cotton filament, before he found one that would both illuminate yet not burn out quickly.