Step Aside Girls. White Men Need To Shine.

Science has always been shaped by brilliant minds—both male and female—yet, today, one may no longer be able to find the word “women” on any government website. Sound strange?

Since taking office, the new administration has been quietly issuing edicts to government agencies requesting the elimination of any mention of women. For instance, according to a directive acquired by 404 media, “NASA personnel were told to ‘drop everything’ to scrub public sites of mentions of DEI, indigenous people, environmental justice, and women in leadership.”

Perhaps removing such terms from government agencies—especially those deemed to be exclusive white male territory—was what Trump had in mind all along when he boasted in one of his last campaign speeches: “Whether they like it or not, I’m going to protect them.” Judging from these recent actions, it sounds like he wasn’t talking about women, after all. Clearly, in his mind, it was men who needed protecting.

The question is why is this administration not comfortable with women standing tall alongside men. What are they afraid of? Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves this question?

Women have fought for their place in history for a long time. But this isn't just about the past—it’s about the future. Think of the young women and girls in your own life: a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece, a student, or a friend. A girl who dreams of being an engineer, a doctor, a researcher. What happens when she realizes that no matter how brilliant she is, or what she achieves, she will be pushed aside. The quiet erasure happening today sends a message that women’s contributions are not welcome unless a man can claim credit for it and be the victor over women.

Bad things are always coated in sugar. When the White House on January 20, 2025 issued an order entitled, Restoring Freedom Of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship, it read like it was ringing the liberty bell, stating it was the policy of the United States to “secure the right of the American people to engage in constitutionally protected speech.” But it mentioned nothing about the censorship it was about to levy on federal agencies. Yet, since then it has surreptitiously issued a memo to federal agencies containing a list of words to be removed from their government websites and other communications. How do we fight this insanity?

The 12 women featured in this article shattered barriers, made revolutionary discoveries, and transformed our understanding of science. Marie Curie pioneered the study of radioactivity, changing medicine and physics forever. Rosalind Franklin provided the crucial evidence for the double-helix structure of DNA, laying the foundation for modern genetics. Lise Meitner’s insights into nuclear fission shaped the course of history. These are not minor footnotes; they are giants whose contributions rival or surpass those of their male counterparts.

As you read about these 12 women, consider what the world would look like if their discoveries had never been made. Then think about the young women and girls in your life. If we don’t fight for them now, who will?