Forgotten Genius: The Matilda Effect

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We know history, but do we know 'herstory'?
In science, art, and many other fields, women's* contributions have often been ignored, uncredited, or erased. Their work has been overshadowed, dismissed, or attributed to men.

American activist and sociologist Matilda Joslyn Gage pointed out this phenomenon as early as 1870 in her pamphlet "Woman as Inventor." In the 1990s, historian of science Margaret W. Rossiter gave this systemic discrimination a name: The Matilda Effect.

Here are just a few examples of brilliant women whose achievements went unrecognized:

🔹 Sophie Germain – The mathematician who had to hide her identity
A pioneer in number theory and elasticity, Germain won the French Academy of Sciences prize in 1816. But because of her gender, she was denied formal education and had to publish under a male pseudonym. Only later was her groundbreaking work fully acknowledged.

🔹 Trotula of Salerno – The medieval physician erased from history
This Italian doctor specialized in gynecology, dermatology, and women’s health. Her medical texts were widely used across Europe from the 13th to the 15th century. However, in the 16th century, a translator removed her name, edited the grammar, and credited her work to a man.

🔹 Nettie Stevens – The true discoverer of X and Y chromosomes
In 1903, American geneticist Nettie Stevens discovered that biological sex is determined by a pair of chromosomes, not environmental factors as previously believed. Edmund Wilson reached the same conclusion two years later, in 1905. But since he was already an established scientist, history credited him—while Stevens remained in the shadows.

🔹 Ben Barres – A scientist who personally witnessed gender bias in academia
Neuroscientist Ben Barres, known for his research on glial cells, was assigned female at birth and transitioned later in life. After his transition, he noticed a stark difference in how colleagues treated him. At one conference, he overheard someone say that "Ben's work is much stronger than his sister Barbara’s"—without realizing they were the same person. This experience led Barres to become an outspoken advocate for gender equality in science.