Science with a woman's name

Throughout history, many women have made fundamental contributions to science, although their names have not always been recognized. Although their access to science is currently limited, research has increased and its presence in STEM disciplines is growing, there are still challenges that hinder real equality in this area. To make your presence known bequest It is not only an act of justice, but also a way to inspire new generations of scientists.

For this reason, every February 11th the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is commemorated, a special date that allows us to make visible the work of women scientists and encourage the participation of women in scientific and technological fields.

In this context, recovering the history of pioneers who paved the way for other women takes on special relevance. One of them is Piedad de la Cierva Viudes (Murcia, 1913 - Madrid, 2007), a researcher from Murcia whose excellence and perseverance left a deep mark on the development of Spanish science. His life and his work Not only do they deserve to be remembered, but they continue to be a reference for those who dream of dedicating themselves to research scientific.

A bequest alive

In it framework On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Los Tilos high school (Vallecas) will pay tribute to Piedad de la Cierva with the accredited specialization Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri, a recognition given to women who have left a significant mark on the research and in the training of new generations. The distinction will be given to degree scroll posthumous and received by his great-niece, Carmen Gómez-Fayrén , a researcher at the Institute of Theoretical Physics of the UAM-CSIC. 

He bequest Piedad de la Cierva's achievements are not only due to her scientific innovations, but also to her role as a mentor to new generations of researchers. Among them, Guadalupe Ortiz de Landázuri , to whom she directed the thesis doctoral. So this recognition not only highlights the career of Piedad de la Cierva, but also the impact of her mentoring on the degree program professional from Guadalupe.

This year, the high school Los Tilos reinforces its commitment to promoting STEM vocations among its students and, as part of this initiative, will host the exhibition Piedad de la Cierva: pioneer, visionary and scientist. sample , organized by the Josemaría Escrivá programs of study Center , together with the Science Museum , the University Museum and the group Women for Science is currently on display at the University of Navarra (Pamplona), where it will remain until March 14 with a programme of visits aimed at schools and colleges.

The exhibition offers a tour of Piedad de la Cierva's career, highlighting the challenges she faced as a scientist at a time when the female presence in the academic and scientific fields was exceptional. work , developed between the Second Republic and Franco's regime, paved the way for future generations and demonstrated the importance of promoting women's participation in the research .

In addition, the sample immerses visitors in an environment that evokes the world of science and experimentation. Through a careful installation that combines materials typical of laboratories with energetic and technological elements, an inspiring space is recreated. Following the aesthetics of European and American technological functionalism, the exhibition highlights the value of the scientific instruments and artifacts on display, many of them original from the mid-20th century.

From March 25th to May 14th the high school Los Tilos will be the epicenter in which this will take place exhibition , opening its doors to other educational institutions in Madrid and to the general public. More information on schedules and activities can be found on the website unav.edu/pdelacierva-mad .

The support of the Government of Navarra to this initiative, framed within its Cosmos 2024 program, underlines the importance of promoting scientific culture and awakening interest in research among the new generations. Activities like these not only make it possible to make visible the work of female scientists, but also contribute to the creation of female role models in the fields of science and technology.

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useful links :
Interview with historian Inmaculada Alva