Stories by 500 Women Scientists

500 Women Scientists is a grassroots organization started by four women who met in graduate school at CU Boulder and who maintained friendships and collaborations after jobs and life took them away from Boulder. Immediately following the November 2016 election, we published an open letter re-affirming our commitment to speak up for science and for women, minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA. The mission of 500 Women Scientists is to serve society by making science open, inclusive, and accessible.

Policy

Academic Institutions Must Do Better to Protect Caregivers This Fall

Schools, colleges and universities that fail to impose mask mandates and other COVID protections put working parents in an excruciating position

August 18, 2021 — 500 Women Scientists | Opinion

Policy

Eric Lander Is Not the Ideal Choice for Presidential Science Adviser

Despite a long list of supremely qualified people who could inspire a whole new generation of scientists, the glass ceiling in American science remains intact

January 21, 2021 — 500 Women Scientists | Opinion

Policy

These Nine Women Should Have Key Roles in the New Administration

They’re extraordinarily accomplished, and they could form a powerful “Science Squad” to help Joe Biden and Kamala Harris repair the damage done over the past four years...

December 11, 2020 — 500 Women Scientists | Opinion

Policy

Four Years after Science Took a Hit, There’s Hope

But 500 Women Scientists, formed in the aftermath of Trump’s 2016 election, still has plenty of work to do

November 17, 2020 — 500 Women Scientists | Opinion

Policy

Scientist Mothers Face Extra Challenges in the Face of COVID-19

The pandemic is amplifying nearly every disadvantage that women in STEM already face. But institutions and the scientific community can help

May 7, 2020 — 500 Women Scientists | Opinion

Policy

Bill Nye Does Not Speak for Us and He Does Not Speak for Science

By attending the State of the Union with NASA administrator nominee Jim Bridenstine, the Science Guy tacitly endorses climate denial, intolerance and attacks on science

January 30, 2018 — 500 Women Scientists

Policy

It's Time for Science and Academia to Address Sexual Misconduct

Almost every woman in science has either personally experienced or knows someone who has experienced sexual harassment, racism or assault

December 12, 2017 — Rukmani Vijayaraghavan, Kristy L. Duran, Kelly Ramirez, Jane Zelikova, Emily Lescak and 500 Women Scientists