Girls in the big picture.

         

    

Listening to Beyonce’s  Who run the world is always refreshing, thought provoking. It’s one of those songs that leaves boys and girls quarrelling.  Boys will make a valid point of how women are still the softer gender and how they don’t flourish in science fields. Girls, as expected will be mentioning all the roles they play in society, naming all the women history makers they can think of. Interesting, there are a few points I would like to add a few points  to that debate, not because I’m a girl, but because I’ m a keen observer.

           

            Without just a few of women, we would be at least 4 centuries behind.  We now consider programming to be a man’s job while actually he first computer programmer was a woman, Ada Lovelace. Quite interestingly, a woman, rear admiral  Grace Hopper wrote the first compiler and invented the term that makes every computer scientist appear nerdy - bug. We have Heddy Lamarr who laid the foundation of Bluetooth and wireless communication. Not only are women pioneers in computer science but also in other ‘men’s’ job.  Without Marie Curie, we wouldn’t be considering Nuclear Energy.  I have intentionally left out  the contemporary scientists like Anita Borg, Nancy Hafkin because the list goes on and on. And we still debate on who runs the world? 

            It is also true that these brilliant scientists had to work with them. Marie Curie worked with her husband, Pierre, Grace Hopper worked with Howard Aiken,  Ada Lovelace worked on Charles Babbage engine.  But somehow the ideal computer scientist now is that nerdy guy who plays computer games.  I don’t know who really runs the world but I know Beyonce’ had to sing that song so women get actual appreciation.

            After all they have done for us we do not pay these champions by women marginalization or by explicitly discouraging women from pursuing science. Women are good computer scientists for no other reason other than that we are good. Computer scientist is all about commanding hardware what to do and women do a lot of commanding on a daily  basis. We are good scientists because we have a sixth sense on things. We have that seed that if well nurtured, will grow and even outgrow that of men’s.

            I’m not making this up. Michelle Obama, who is the epitome of success in this century, testifies to this with the words I quote, “I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”  We all have abilities and talents, irrespective of gender or race. I think we should just accept that fact and move on from there, investing energy on work than endless arguments.

           

            Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” I can’t really add to that.  This article goes to all the girls who doubt their abilities because they have been forced to believe men are better, the women who have to work twice as hard to prove themselves.  I say to you what I tell myself almost every day; Shine, you got it in you.