The history of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is rich with untold stories of resilience, innovation, and groundbreaking achievements. Often overshadowed by their male counterparts, these women have made significant contributions to fields ranging from space exploration to medicine, shaping the world as we know it today. This article highlights 13 must-read non-fiction books that celebrate the incredible achievements of women in STEM. Each of these books offers a unique perspective on the challenges these women faced, the barriers they broke down, and the lasting impact of their work. Whether you’re passionate about science, history, or social justice, these books provide valuable insights into the vital role women have played—and continue to play—in advancing our understanding of the world.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
by Margot Lee Shetterly
“Hidden Figures” is the phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations were crucial to America’s greatest achievements in space. These exceptionally talented African American women, initially relegated to teaching in the segregated South, answered the call during WWII’s labor shortages, joining the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Despite working under Jim Crow laws, they played pivotal roles in America’s victories in the Cold War and the Space Race. This #1 New York Times bestseller chronicles the careers of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, highlighting their intellectual contributions and their fight against racial and gender barriers. Their story, the basis for an Academy Award-nominated film, is a powerful narrative of resilience, discrimination, and triumph in modern America.
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World
By Rachel Swaby
“Headstrong” is a compelling collection of 52 profiles of remarkable women in science, technology, engineering, and math, who have been historically overlooked. Rachel Swaby brings these female visionaries to life, from Nobel Prize winners to unsung heroes whose innovations impact our daily lives. Through engaging stories that span centuries, the book highlights their journeys from early scientific curiosity to groundbreaking discoveries, offering inspiration and role models for the next generation of female scientists.
The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts
by Loren Grush
“The Six” by Loren Grush tells the compelling story of America’s first women astronauts, who broke barriers in a field long dominated by men. Selected from a pool of 8,000 candidates in 1978, these six extraordinary women—Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon—overcame significant challenges, including intense media scrutiny and rigorous training, to become pioneers in space exploration. Grush vividly captures their journey, highlighting their contributions to the space program and their lasting impact, with one member, Judy Resnik, tragically losing her life in the Challenger disaster.
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
by Liza Mundy
This New York Times bestseller by Liza Mundy tells the riveting story of the over ten thousand American women who secretly served as codebreakers during World War II. Recruited from small towns and elite colleges by the U.S. Army and Navy, these women moved to Washington to take on the meticulous and vital work of breaking enemy codes. Their efforts not only shortened the war and saved countless lives but also opened doors to careers previously closed to them. Through extensive research and interviews with surviving codebreakers, Mundy uncovers this hidden chapter of American history, celebrating the courage and contributions of these unsung heroes.
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
by Walter Isaacson
This bestselling book by the author of “Leonardo da Vinci” and Steve Jobs tells the captivating story of Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues, who revolutionized science with the invention of CRISPR, a groundbreaking tool that can edit DNA. Inspired by her early fascination with the discovery of the structure of DNA, Doudna pursued a career in science despite societal doubts about women in the field. Her work on CRISPR has opened new possibilities for curing diseases, combating viruses, and even shaping the future of human evolution, while also raising significant moral and ethical questions. This book explores the journey behind this scientific breakthrough and its profound implications for the future.
A Lab of One’s Own: One Woman’s Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science
by Rita Colwell PhD, Sharon Bertsch McGrayne
A “Lab of One’s Own” is a powerful memoir-manifesto by Rita Colwell, the first female director of the National Science Foundation, that exposes the deep-rooted sexism in the world of science. Colwell, a pioneering microbiologist known for her discovery on how cholera survives between epidemics, shares her six-decade journey through a male-dominated field where she faced numerous obstacles, including being denied fellowships and encountering sexual harassment. The book not only highlights the challenges women have had to overcome, often forcing them into interdisciplinary approaches that led to major discoveries, but also celebrates the progress made when men and women collaborate. Colwell’s story is both a call to action for addressing sexism in science and an inspiring account of female resilience and innovation.
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II
by Denise Kiernan
“The Girls of Atomic City” is a New York Times bestseller that uncovers the incredible true story of Oak Ridge, Tennessee—a top-secret town built during World War II where thousands of young women unknowingly contributed to the creation of the atomic bomb. This hidden city, which housed 75,000 residents and consumed more electricity than New York City, was so secretive that it didn’t appear on any maps. Recruited with promises of good wages and important war work, the women of Oak Ridge had no idea what they were actually helping to build. It wasn’t until the war ended that they learned their efforts had played a pivotal role in changing the course of history. Denise Kiernan’s book draws from the personal experiences of these women, rescuing this remarkable chapter of history from obscurity and highlighting their courage, determination, and the vital contributions they made to one of the most significant scientific developments in history.
Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine
by Olivia Campbell
“Women in White Coats” tells the remarkable and inspiring true story of three Victorian women—Elizabeth Blackwell, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and Sophia Jex-Blake—who revolutionized the medical field by becoming the first female doctors. In the early 1800s, women often avoided medical care due to demeaning and painful examinations by male doctors and the stigma associated with illness. Motivated by personal loss and frustration over inadequate medical care, these pioneers fought against societal and professional barriers to earn their medical degrees. They built women-run hospitals and teaching colleges, providing medical care for women by women for the first time. Based on extensive research and archival documents, this gripping narrative celebrates their courage and the lasting impact they had on women’s health care.
Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet
by Claire L. Evans
“Broad Band” by Claire L. Evans reveals the overlooked contributions of women who were instrumental in the creation and development of the internet. From Ada Lovelace, who wrote the first computer program, to Grace Hopper, who revolutionized computing with machine-independent languages, and Elizabeth “Jake” Feinler, who managed the early internet, these women have shaped the digital world we know today. Through engaging stories of pioneers like Stacy Horn, who ran an early social network from her New York apartment, Evans highlights how these female visionaries defied conventions and left a lasting impact on technology.
Lab Girl: A Memoir
by Hope Jahren
“Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren is a National Bestseller and National Book Critics Circle Award winner that blends a deep exploration of plant life with a personal memoir. Geobiologist Hope Jahren shares her journey from a curious child in Minnesota, playing in her father’s lab, to a passionate scientist devoted to studying trees, flowers, seeds, and soil. Through stories of her scientific discoveries and her partnership with her eccentric lab manager, Bill, Jahren invites readers to share in the wonder of the natural world and the joy of combining love and work. This warm and engaging book celebrates the curiosity and dedication that drive every scientist.
Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age
by Kurt W. W. Beyer
“Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age” by Kurt Beyer delves into the life and career of computer visionary Grace Murray Hopper, whose groundbreaking work in programming laid the foundation for modern computing. Often portrayed as a simplified hero in popular media, Hopper was a complex and influential figure who defied the gender norms of her time, contributing significantly to the male-dominated military and computer industries. Her most notable achievement was creating tools that allowed humans to communicate with computers in more intuitive ways, paving the way for user-friendly personal computers and sparking the information age.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot is a powerful exploration of the life of Henrietta Lacks, a poor Southern tobacco farmer whose cells, taken without her knowledge, became the first “immortal” human cells and revolutionized medicine. Known as HeLa, these cells played a crucial role in major medical breakthroughs, including the polio vaccine, cancer research, and gene mapping. Despite their impact, Henrietta’s family remained unaware of her scientific legacy for decades and received no financial benefits from the multimillion-dollar industry her cells spawned. Skloot’s deeply researched narrative intertwines the Lacks family’s story with the troubling history of medical ethics and racial exploitation, offering a compelling and thought-provoking account of the human cost of scientific progress.
Rise of the Rocket Girls
by Nathalia Holt
“Rise of the Rocket Girls” by Nathalia Holt tells the fascinating true story of the women who were instrumental in launching America into space during the 1940s and 50s. At a time when the Jet Propulsion Laboratory needed brilliant minds to calculate rocket trajectories and design, they turned not to men, but to a group of young women known as “human computers.” Armed only with pencil, paper, and exceptional mathematical skills, these women played a crucial role in developing rocket technology, leading to the first American satellites and the exploration of the solar system. Through extensive research and interviews, Holt brings to light the groundbreaking contributions of these women, offering a fresh perspective on their pivotal role in both the history of science and the future of space exploration.
Why These Books Matter
These books matter because they bring to light the often-overlooked contributions of women in STEM. By sharing the stories of these remarkable women, these books not only correct the historical narrative but also inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They showcase individuals who defied societal expectations and overcame significant obstacles to achieve groundbreaking successes. These narratives are crucial for understanding the full scope of human progress and for recognizing the diverse talents that have driven innovation. Reading these books allows us to appreciate the complexities of scientific discovery and the importance of inclusivity in shaping a better future for everyone.
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