Inspiring Female Disruptors: Powerful Stories of Women Scientists Breaking Barriers | STEM Role Models for Girls & Career Inspiration

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4 out of 4 stars- Review by Oyedeji Funmilayo, August 9, 2022[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Female Disruptors" by Mindi Messmer.]Female Disruptors by Mindi Messmer is a 278-page book on the disparity between men and women. It is about how the system is built to favour men and disfavour women just because of their gender. Women who want to make a difference in politics, business, and science face challenges from men in these fields and society as a whole.I recommend this book to young adults, specifically females, who desire to work or thrive in male-dominated sectors. Mature women, too, will find this book helpful. Also, government officials and public office holders who want to set the record straight and fill the gap will find this book helpful.### In Female Disruptors, Messmer details engaging and insightful conversations with exceptional women in the scientific community, including Dr. Mona-Hannah Attisha, Dr. Elisabeth Bik, and Dr. Linda Birnbaum. These discussions, coupled with stories about trailblazers like Mary Anning, the first female paleontologist, Maria Mitchell, Madame Curie, Rachel Carson, Dr. Rosalind Franklin, and other remarkable female scientists, have illuminated the often overlooked contributions of women in science.Throughout interviews and research, Messmer discovered a shared sentiment among these women—a deep empathy and concern for the challenges faced by others. As Hannah Mona Attisha expressed, “an over- whelming sense of imposter syndrome that maybe I shouldn’t have done this...Nothing can prepare you for when the entire state goes after you and tells you you’re wrong [...]. When I heard about lead, my life changed.”Mindi Messmer is a passionate scientist and concerned mother. Faced with the heart-wrenching reality of children falling ill and succumbing to rare cancers in her small town, Mindi Messmer fearlessly spearheaded investigations into environmental factors poisoning the drinking water and surroundings of not just her community but many others. Her relentless pursuit revealed alarming rates of cancer and prompted actions to prevent diseases while demanding accountability from polluters through science, evidence-based policies, and advocacy.Yet, in Female Disruptors, Messmer's journey unravels a different narrative. Instead of being acknowledged for her groundbreaking work, she often encountered resistance from her male counterparts. Her experiences underscore the systemic challenges that women in science often face—gender stereotypes and institutional policies that hinder their entry into scientific fields and impede their success and job retention.The foreword by Bill Couzens, a staunch advocate for cancer prevention, emphasizes the crucial role of women in driving scientific innovation and the necessity to dismantle barriers obstructing their progress.This book delves into these barriers, shedding light on how preconceived notions limit women's involvement in science and, consequently, dampen their potential to contribute unique perspectives and innovative problem-solving approaches to the world. Mindi Messmer's narrative serves as a catalyst, aiming to inspire the next generation of female scientists by showcasing the resilience, passion, and invaluable contributions of women in the scientific realm.