Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Science

The First Eleven Women to Become Fellows of the Royal Society 1945-54

Eleven incredible women pioneers who excelled at science, overcame prejudice and made significant discoveries along the way

In 1945, for the first time in history, women joined the ranks of the Royal Society, the UK’s premier scientific academy. Over the following decade, eleven women would break through its barriers to become Fellows of the Royal Society. Few of these women are well known, yet they all made extraordinary contributions to science, helping shape the post-war world.

From Dame Honor Fell, whose research laid the foundations for IVF, to Dorothy Hodgkin, who worked out the structure of penicillin, these women battled prejudice and hardship but ultimately made cracks in the glass ceiling of science, paving the way for later generations of women to enjoy careers in areas traditionally dominated by men.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Science pays tribute to these remarkable women and their achievements and asks why many have slipped from our memories, even though their legacies have endured.

Contributor: Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell CH DBE FRS (Foreword by)

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