Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM

Lessons Learned brings us the stories of thirty-one brilliant women in STEM who overcame the odds to push science forward while paving the way for the women yet to come. Uplifting, informative, and important.

Lessons Learned teaches us about the creativity, determination, and resilience of these remarkable women who ‘beat the odds’ in achieving successful careers in STEM. Among those lessons we learn are that there is no single script or blueprint; each woman navigated her own personal path marked by triumphs, and sometimes setbacks, that reflected pressures often experienced by women in minoritized situations. Despite their diverse career journeys, these women do share much in common. Intelligence, drive, humor, and optimism, for example, and importantly, they are the ones that ‘made it.’ As much as this book will inspire girls and women to ideate a career in STEM, I hope it points its broader readership toward systemic changes that will eliminate barriers for future generations.

Each of these compelling narratives illustrates the critical importance of women’s leadership in meeting contemporary challenges that demand a diverse and competitively trained STEM workforce. In the process, they serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to upend current structures, systems, traditions, and beliefs that privilege some in STEM education while disadvantaging others.

I love these stories and urge everyone to read them. This is real life in all its beauty and messiness. I have known many of these women for decades, but through their candor and in their own voices, I have discovered new, interesting, and exciting aspects of their lives — not only how they made it and lessons learned but also ‘what’s next’ as they continue on their journeys. Many took non-traditional pathways, but they all led to ‘home’— that place where passion meets purpose.

Storytelling is powerful. These narratives of women in STEM tell of courage, resilience, and community. Some of these women I’ve known and long admired and some I’ve only come to know through these pages. In all cases, it is empowering to have a greater sense of why their wells run so deep. Of course, these Lessons Learned reflect overcoming adversity, dealing with some hard knocks, and unfair treatment. But they also model how to not just bounce back, but to plant a foot and bounce forward. In this sense, I also hear a song in their stories — one with a spiritual rhythm — that should encourage us all to keep striving and to take pride in living their legacy.

This wonderful book will help upend the dominance of white males in STEM professions. The stories of these highly successful and courageous women, some of whom are also underrepresented minorities, will resonate with those of us who embark on a career in science. Science requires hard work, focus, and persistence. Women have additional challenges: to have a family, to devote time to their children, to deal with professional bias and discrimination, often with little opportunity for recourse. As France Cordova writes in her chapter, ‘…it’s not so much that I haven’t had complaints as that there has been no one to complain to. And there are more constructive things to do. Better to look forward than at past aggravations.’ This book gives hope that the future will bring change for women and minorities in science.

This thoughtful and meaningful collection of women’s academic life stories highlights the roadblocks resulting from conscious and unconscious bias that may dissuade women from seeking careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These women from different social and ethnic backgrounds share supportive families and mentors, grit, and the tenacity to succeed. Although the denominator is unknown, it is certain that the careers of countless promising women were curtailed by the roadblocks and an unrelenting stream of microaggressions that these women overcame.

Accomplished, curious, dauntless, and down-to-earth — the inspiring women scientists, engineers, and mathematicians depicted in Lessons Learned followed diverse life paths marked by intelligence, grit, chance, choice, and hard work. Their revealing stories convey a singular message to a rising generation of women: ‘If you want a career in STEM, you can make it happen.’

‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception’ – a simple, yet powerful quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg applying to women in STEM too. A group of intelligent, inspired, assiduous, determined, multitasking women in Lessons Learned , being innovators, inventors, engineers, scientists, researchers, educators, mentors, and role models, Simply put, they are where they belong, not by chance or fate, but because of their high intellect, hard work, ardor, and tenacity, paving the way for the next generation. Learning the personal journey of each one of these incredible women exudes optimism and confidence that stereotypes are being dismantled and ‘women in STEM’ is becoming the new norm, as it should have always been.

As a female STEM PhD candidate, I have been deeply inspired by the scientists featured in Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM . It is beyond moving to read these scientists' stories in their own voice — each one different and exceptional. The experiences detailed in this book are not only incredibly important, inspirational stories for the public, but are great resources to young women interested in the sciences.

Role models matter. In Lessons Learned , Deborah Shlian introduces us to more than 30 extraordinary women who've pushed past gender bias to expand perceptions of what it means to lead in STEM. This book will inspire so many other women and girls to reach for their goals.

Lesson Learned is an important work that harnesses the power of story-telling to document the challenges and triumphs of women in STEM. As a graduate school dean, I envision using these stories to inspire young women to ‘stay the course’ and persist in male-dominated fields that are not always welcoming. As a Black woman in science, I envision using these stories to share the wisdom and experiences of our elders and show underrepresented students they are not alone and do, in fact, walk on the shoulders of giants. I would also recommend this work to White men, both to illustrate the privileged position they hold and to encourage them to aspire to inclusive excellence.

This wonderful book provides an entertaining, compelling, and honest look at the career ‘lessons learned’ from women leaders in STEM careers. As the Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, I really enjoyed reading about the personal journeys of many of our greatest scientists, like Dr. Claire Fraser, who led early efforts to clone and characterize one of the most important human receptor superfamilies, the G-protein coupled receptors, and later led the transformative and successful effort to sequence the human genome. She provides a personal list of key elements for success in any career: the importance of hard work, securing the support of great mentors, taking risk and moving out of one’s own comfort zone, resilience, and always trying to maintain a moral compass. It was also clear that she, like many women leaders, were often passed up in early promotion, had to fight to secure and hold on to leadership, and most unfortunately, had to make personal life sacrifices to realize their dreams and the full potential of their career. Through the eyes of women pioneers Lessons Learned delivers a timely and powerful message to young women interested in pursuing these fields. The personal profiles provide a transparent account of the inequity of the obstacles faced by women in the STEM field, yet their chronicles of advocating for the recruitment, retainment, and advancement of women prove inspiring and resonate as not just hopeful, but promising for a better, more inclusive world.

The blend of insight, humor, science, and personal reflection in this collection of profiles of women in STEM ensures that every reader will find stories that resonate with them on multiple levels. I was especially delighted to see the personal stories of two Jackson Laboratory colleagues, Cat Lutz and Jiwon Yang, included here. Like so many of the other profiles featured, Cat’s and Jiwon’s reflections on their careers in STEM highlight the fact that these paths are rarely a straight line planned out in advance. As these profiles illustrate, the path to personal fulfillment and professional achievement in STEM is frequently a winding one, and while challenges and frustrations are inevitable, persistence, creativity, and a willingness to seize opportunities are vital to shaping one’s own path in STEM — and in life.

Dr. Deborah Shlian has put together a compelling book presenting a diverse group of women excelling, achieving & blazing a path for the women who hopefully choose to follow in their footsteps. I found it hard to put down because each woman’s story was interesting in its own right.

I bought this book to evaluate it for a daughter studying science in graduate school. It is perfect! These personal, warm, open stories about life in STEM careers show the wealth of opportunities for women in the sciences. The authors share the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, what they learned. The perfect gift!

I loved reading the stories of the women, many of whom came of age as I did, when women were just starting to break through into various formerly male-dominated professions. In those days there weren’t too many role models or mentors to share their experiences and wisdom. This book accomplishes its goals of providing, especially younger women, with information they need to pursue careers – and rise in the ranks of formerly male professions, many in areas that were growing and in need of expertise as the world of technology grow. Reading how all these successful women overcame obstacles was so inspirational - and provided the mentorship/role model link That is so important to students coming up in the world. I was especially interested in reading this book, having spent my career at a tech company that in 2011 supported the opening of a high school In New York City, dedicated to providing the building blocks for careers in STEM.

This is a great read for anyone interested in becoming involved in STEM, already there or interested in career development, no matter the field. The inspirational stories Dr. Shlian has compiled of these accomplished women will assist people as they seek a role in the scientific community. and face similar “challenges”, academic and otherwise. I am giving a book to my granddaughter.

The pathway to a PhD can be brutal--more so when the goal is a doctorate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. Even more so, when the candidate is a woman in a "man's world". But, dozens of ground-breaking women who have weathered the challenging obstacle course to professional success in research, teaching, the corporate road, academia, etc., have cleared the way for new generations of scientists, professors, and innovators in these demanding spheres. Physician-Author Deborah Shlian, MD, MBA has collected and shared the fascinating personal stories of many of these dynamic women who persevered in difficult, and often unwelcoming, environments, and who serve as inspirations for all who seek careers or are currently engaged in STEM realms. A brilliant book spotlighting brilliant women!

This uplifting book is an affirmation for women and girls who wish to pursue their goals and passions. Yes, there will be challenges and roadblocks, but with determination and perseverance anything is attainable. A great read!

If you wonder whether you should go into STEM, this book will clear your doubt. Dr Deborah Shlian describes in compelling detail how the persistence and determination of these brilliant women helped them to overcome many challenges and biases, and to break new ground in their impressive STEM careers.

This book details the varied experiences and stories of 30 women whose achievements in the fields of technology, mathematics and science are exemplary examples to be shared with young women interested in similar life endeavors. Most of the stories highlight the attitudes, proclivities, and adaptive behaviors that allowed their success. The majority of these women are not necessarily household names, thus giving them earned notoriety to those who read this book. Dr. Shlian should be commended on her rigorous research and how concisely an comprehensible each chapter is written.

I highly recommend the book. The women selected by Dr. Shlian candidly describe their struggles to achieve success at a time when most STEM careers were not welcoming to women. Young girls will find the stories inspiring and see the women as role models. We of the older generation will identify with these women and feel a sense of gratitude that, thanks to them, there are many more opportunities available to women today.

If you loved “Lessons in Chemistry “, you will love this book. Every one of these amazing women scientists are versions of Elizabeth Zott in real life. What great role models these women are for young girls and women who might want to become scientists! I highly recommend this book!

This book speaks to known and unknown bias in STEM fields. Subtle things inhabit the environment and everyone will benefit from reading the stories is these amazing women.

This book is a must-read for boys and girls and men and women. The stories Shlian includes in this powerful compendium are beyond inspirational. They are examples of courage, persistence and resilience. They show what women can achieve if encouraged. And though we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, these womens' shoulders will propel all of us into a much more fruitful future.

An excellent story of the trials and triumphs of women in science Well worth reading.

This well written, and edited book by Dr. Deborah Shlian. It is incredibly useful and valuable for women and men at all stages of their careers. It’s one that I wished I had access to many years ago. Sharing the stories, and hearing directly from the women who lead this lives in forge their careers is inspiring and role modeling for students of any age, and for academics, who are looking for more inspiration and role models, I give it my highest recommendation, and have given this book to many young scientist and students.

Really liked how there was such a diverse set of successful women being represented! The book was very inspirational for women in many aspects of STEM, and it definitely encompasses a wide range of different success stories.

Amazing women scientists tell their individual stories of success in spite of all the obstacles they faced. A great companion to Lessons in Chemistry!!

What I liked most is how inspiring this book is to read. All of us had obstacles to overcome, and the women featured showed how they were able to do it and succeed. A great read for all.

Dr. Shlian has done a terrific job of compiling a book about multi-talented women in STEM. It is fascinating to read their inspiring stories in their own unique voices. Truly compelling!

If only I had known about these women leaders in STEM when I was in high school or college, I might have chosen another path. Their accomplishments in a world dominated by men are jaw-dropping. So inspiring!

It’s about time for this book With all of the media coverage of the hardships women face, and shortage of women, in STEM careers, it was fascinating to read so many successful women’s accounts of their struggle to make it in science, technical and so many other fields. If you liked “Lessons in Chemistry” especially, read this to see how other women handled the same situation ... often in a very heartwarming and encouraging fashion. women’s studies.