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“Certain people, men of course, put me off, saying that science was not a good career for women. That pushed me even more to persevere. “
Those were the powerful words spoken by the highly respected virologist and winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, who played a pivotal role in the joint discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Today, February 11, is a day adopted by the United Nations as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, to achieve full and equal access and participation in science for women and girls.
As such, it has become more important than ever to acknowledge the contribution of women to science, overcome misogynistic stereotypes, and inspire girls around the world to make their mark in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and science. mathematics (STEM).
The entertainment industry has also followed suit and evolved, with women becoming stars on the big screen and allowing for greater representation when it comes to smart and amazing women.
Here are six must-see movies and series that are sure to inspire you and the women around you.
1. Hidden figures
By the time the topic of women in science comes up, this movie is usually one of the first to be mentioned.
Before the release of ‘Hidden Figures’ in 2016, very few knew of the amazing feats of three brilliant African American women; Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, whose brilliant work put the first American, John Glenn, into orbit in 1962.
In just two hours, the film showed what women faced in times of sexism and adversity, and how they moved forward and became an inspiration to other women today.
2. Interstellar
Nothing can compare to the brilliant mind of Christopher Nolan as evidenced by his award-winning box office hits. However, one particular movie released in 2014 shook the world: the epic sci-fi movie Interstellar.
The plot revolves around a dying Mother Earth and a former NASA pilot (played by Matthew McConaughey), who is tasked with leading a mission through a wormhole to find a habitable planet in another galaxy.
But did you know that Christopher Nolan deliberately wanted a woman to play one of the film’s central characters?
The decision was reportedly driven by the director’s own relationship with his daughter, and because of this influence, actress Jessica Chastain was ultimately cast as Murph, the brilliant scientist who found the solution to save humanity.
And, if you didn’t know, Nolan’s daughter Flora even has a little cameo in the movie.
3. Black Panther
“Wakanda forever!”
When Black Panther first debuted in theaters in 2018, it wasn’t just the catchy phrase that captured everyone’s heart or Chadwick Boseman’s fantastic performance.
It was Princess Shuri, Wakanda’s chief scientist and chief technology officer, who stole the hearts of moviegoers everywhere for being the cheeky sister and a genius innovator.
Letitia Wright, who played Shuri, said she received “an avalanche of messages from people thanking them for representing us. There has been a major lack of exposure to young women in STEM subjects. “
4. Gravity
Before ‘Gravity’ came out in 2013, the very idea of women starring in a big-budget movie was too good to be true.
Interestingly, during a press conference at Comic-Con in 2013, writer and director Alfonso Cuarón noted that not everyone involved in the film was happy with the decision and suggested a male lead.
“When I finished the script, there were voices that said, ‘Well, we should change it to a male lead,'” Cuarón said.
“Obviously, they weren’t powerful enough voices, because we got away with it. But the sad thing is that this trend still exists ”.
And, despite all the odds, Sandra Bullock was phenomenal in her role as a medical engineer on her first space shuttle mission. She was even nominated for Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for this particular movie.
5. Big Bang Theory
First released in 2007, ‘Big Bang Theory’ ran for a full 12 years and was one of the five most popular shows in the world.
The comedy features many female scientists, including the microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, played by Melissa Rauch, and Sara Gilbert’s Leslie Winkle, an experimental physicist.
Mayim Balik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler on the show, is a real neuroscientist in real life, and she has the PhD to prove it.
Talk about a multi-talented woman!
6. A series of unfortunate events
After a collective volume of 13 books called ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ became a series on Netflix, viewers met the oldest of the three Baudelaire orphans, Violet.
Best known for being an incredibly talented inventor, she regularly works her way through difficult situations by thinking of great ways to solve a problem.
And of course, who could forget her signature move of tying her hair back with her trusty bow every time she needs to think with that glowing brain of his?
So now that you’ve become familiar with these characters, both real and fictional, the upcoming long weekend will be the perfect time to enjoy the shows on this list.
Who knows, it might inspire you to be the next Katherine Johnson!
