Women’s History Month is a month dedicated to celebrating women who have stepped up, created and invested in our world. Without deserved recognition for these contributions, misogyny and gender bias continue to win. This is a deliberate time to learn about women who were overlooked, underestimated and undervalued.
It’s important to reflect on the women who changed how we live through developing science and woking with technology to create new inventions. These women have even tried to keep us safe by enhancing vehicles. One woman who took matters into her own hands is Mary Anderson, the inventor of the windshield wiper. This came from observing cars in New York City struggling to drive because of harsh snowfall conditions in 1902. She was turned down for her creation multiple times, as it wasn’t deemed necessary, but of course, it was and she assisted in cutting down on delays caused by clearing vehicles’ windshields due to weather conditions.
Her patent for her “window cleaning device” expired when windshield wipers became common; however, she received no compensation. Anderson was eventually inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame in 2011, more than 100 years after her invention was conceived.
Anderson isn’t the only woman of science who didn’t receive the credit owed to her. Lise Meitner helped discover nuclear fission, and received no Nobel Prize, despite nominations. Her partner in the discovery, a man named Otto Hahn, did win the prestigious award, however. This demonstrates the undeniable disregard for female accomplishments, considering Meitner was the one who “actually identified and scientifically explained the process of nuclear fission.”
Meitner’s story demonstrates how, especially at that time, a man was more likely to gain respect for joint accomplishments. She was viewed as an accessory to his success when she was the one to contribute to the work as well.
A woman of mathematics allowed us to find our way around the world while experiencing prejudice herself from multiple angles. She recognized the Earth was not a perfect sphere and had irregularities. This clarified the understanding of the Earth’s shape, with satellites now accounting for the irregularities.
Gladys West was a mathematician whose achievements and assistance with the Navy made the creation of the Global Positioning System, also known as the GPS, possible.
When she began work for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division at the base on the lower Potomac, she was one of the four Black people working there.
According to the Washington Post, “she sought to pave the way for other African Americans, excelling at her job even as some co-workers refused to socialize with her.” West demonstrated skill and determination while facing prejudice in her line of expertise.
In January 2026, West passed away at the age of 95. She was honored in a ceremony at Dahlgren in 2023, where retired U.S. Navy Adm. Philip S. Davidson said, “‘The Navy stands on the shoulders of the geniuses that have been advancing our technology … we’re standing on Dr. West’s shoulders, to execute the mission of the United States.’”
It is especially important to honor and celebrate women this year, as the Women’s Center at Ohio University was forced to close last year due to Senate Bill 1. This only increases the need to learn more, educating ourselves about women's history and empowerment.
To admire women of the past means to admire those in the present because this is how we inspire the women of the future. It’s important to know that women have protected us, created for us and allowed us to grow, while receiving minimal credit.
Seeing success in other women builds inspiration. As young girls learn what women have accomplished, it giveds them more role models and goals to reach. The more we learn, the more there is to share about women. Use March to celebrate Women's History Month and research women who have made history. Women evolved our vision of the Earth, the machines we drive and the power of microscopic particles, so Women’s History Month is vital.
Kyra Dapore is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
