Remembering Women Scientists: The Case for Proactively Documenting Women in Science

Abstract

Women scientists have long been underrepresented in histories of mainstream science and in archives and museums. Using a lecture series as a well-known model for engagement, this article explores implementing a proactive method for documenting and preserving a record of women scientists’ research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Envisioned broadly as a public history and documentation initiative, the Women in Science Lecture Series seeks to highlight the work of women scientists, generate conversations about documenting women in science, and promote the University of Illinois Archives as a repository well-suited to house the records of women scientists. The authors argue that taking more public and proactive measures is vital for capturing women scientists’ research and experiences and for promoting cultural heritage institutions as places where their stories and records are valued and belong.