Science
140 Women’s Role in Understanding Our Oceans and Sea Exploration
Gracie Gilstrap
Introduction
Women throughout history have been barred and discredited from history books and the discoveries they have made, especially marine scientists, oceanographers, and sea explorers. Despite the lack of equality and acceptance by their male counterparts in the field, women worked tirelessly to make advancements in society’s understanding of our oceans by breaking stereotypes, leading in underwater expeditions, contributing to theories of continental drift, and advancing technology such as SONAR. The lack of acknowledgment and acceptance in regard to women in the marine science and exploration industry has quite the unique background. According to Bonatti and Crane in their article “Oceanography and Women: Early Challenges,” one of the key elements in the misogynistic narrative of past expeditions actually stems from reactions to Homer’s, The Odyssey. In early mythology and stories alike, women were viewed as a bad omen, and it was thought that their mere presence alone on a ship would cause it to sink; therefore, many women were turned away and not permitted to accompany the voyages that men were so freely able to. These taboos led to a sharp division in gender roles when it came to sea exploration, marine science, and oceanography. Despite societal reluctance and hardship, many brave women took matters into their own hands, cracked the glass ceiling, and stepped up to pave a path– or more literally, make waves– so that the women after them could focus on the sea, and not the fight for equity and inclusion.
Connection to STS
The science and technology surrounding sea exploration and science is steadfast and growing, advancing rapidly from the ground up. From navigating the sea using only the light of a thousand stars hundreds of years ago, to more recently, billionaire submarine expeditions and cruise tours through the infamous Drake’s Passage, the technology and conversation about the ocean and women’s role in helping society understand it is essential and continuously developing our knowledge of the world and its largest most diverse ecosystem– the ocean. The innovations and discoveries being made at the hands of expert women and new technology are aiding in society’s scientific inquiry of oceanic data, marine biology, and access to unprecedented and uncharted territory. This chapter aims to discuss the importance of women’s role in the field, focusing on those that pioneered progressions and made headway despite the gender stereotypes and challenges placed upon them.
Content: WOmen working
One of the main pioneers of her time was Marie Tharp. This brilliant woman’s mind worked tirelessly to research and provide scientific breakthroughs in her field. Her ideas were dismissed as “girl talk,” but she pushed through, making a notable advancement in mapping the seafloor and providing evidence on her theory of continental drift. For example, one of her m