New Questions: A Zine About Historical Women in STEM

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Send us who you want to see featured next!

The AWIS Chicago “New Questions” zine focuses on historical women in STEM, following their career paths and how they overcame obstacles in their era.  This quarterly series was launched in 2024.

Do you know about an awesome historical woman in STEM and want to see her featured in the zine?  Email awiscommunications@gmail.com with her name and any relevant details!


Fall 2024: Gertrude Elion

23 Nov 1918 – 21 Feb 1999

Gertrude Elion was born in New York. When, as a teenager, she watched her maternal grandfather die of cancer, Elion decided to devote her life to fighting the disease. She studied chemistry at Hunter College and New York University, but, as a woman, had difficulty finding work as a chemist. During World War II a lack of chemists arose because many men had joined the war, which led Elion to find work at a laboratory.

Read more in the zine below!