Today we continue the Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep series with an essay by author Patricia Valdez. Thank you, Patricia.
When
asked to imagine a typical scientist, most people picture a man with wild hair,
like Albert Einstein, or with a bow tie and lab coat, like Bill Nye.
A
peek inside a laboratory today would reveal that, yes, women work in labs, too!
That said, women seem to disappear from science as we look farther up the
ladder. And the situation for women of color is much worse.
peek inside a laboratory today would reveal that, yes, women work in labs, too!
That said, women seem to disappear from science as we look farther up the
ladder. And the situation for women of color is much worse.
Why
is this happening?
is this happening?
The
importance of role models and mentors is clear. The limited number of women at
the top makes mentors scarce. Sure, men can be great mentors to women, but it’s
never easy to work in an environment where you are considered “other.” Role
models show young girls that yes, they can make it, too.
importance of role models and mentors is clear. The limited number of women at
the top makes mentors scarce. Sure, men can be great mentors to women, but it’s
never easy to work in an environment where you are considered “other.” Role
models show young girls that yes, they can make it, too.
The
more role models, the better.
more role models, the better.
One
of the reasons I write picture book biographies is to shine light on women
whose scientific contributions were ignored or forgotten. Both boys and girls need
to know that women have been contributing to scientific discovery since the
dawn of man (and woman).
of the reasons I write picture book biographies is to shine light on women
whose scientific contributions were ignored or forgotten. Both boys and girls need
to know that women have been contributing to scientific discovery since the
dawn of man (and woman).
Joan
Beauchamp Procter, the subject of my picture book biography, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, knew from
an early age that she would devote her life to the study of reptiles. She found
a great mentor in Dr. George Boulenger, curator at London’s Natural History
Museum. He realized her genius early on.
Beauchamp Procter, the subject of my picture book biography, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, knew from
an early age that she would devote her life to the study of reptiles. She found
a great mentor in Dr. George Boulenger, curator at London’s Natural History
Museum. He realized her genius early on.
When Dr. Boulenger retired, Joan took over as curator, but many of the men were
uncomfortable with a woman in charge. To them, Joan was “other.” They wanted to
hire a less-qualified man to supervise Joan, so she took another job at the
London Zoo in 1923.
uncomfortable with a woman in charge. To them, Joan was “other.” They wanted to
hire a less-qualified man to supervise Joan, so she took another job at the
London Zoo in 1923.
Joan
Procter regularly challenged people’s presumptions about what women could or
should be. When interviewed by newspaper reporters, she often insisted that
they focus on the animals and not her gender. “Why shouldn’t a woman run a
reptile house?” she asked. Still, the newspaper headlines always managed to
sneak the words “girl” or “lady” into the headline.
Procter regularly challenged people’s presumptions about what women could or
should be. When interviewed by newspaper reporters, she often insisted that
they focus on the animals and not her gender. “Why shouldn’t a woman run a
reptile house?” she asked. Still, the newspaper headlines always managed to
sneak the words “girl” or “lady” into the headline.
Joan
even challenged people’s presumptions about the animals under her care. She
presented papers that dispelled myths about the size and temperament of Komodo
dragons. Perhaps Joan felt a deep connection with Komodo dragons because, like
her, they were also misunderstood in a world that considered them “other.”
even challenged people’s presumptions about the animals under her care. She
presented papers that dispelled myths about the size and temperament of Komodo
dragons. Perhaps Joan felt a deep connection with Komodo dragons because, like
her, they were also misunderstood in a world that considered them “other.”
As
a Latina scientist, I’ve often been in situations where I might be considered
“other.” I’ve had difficulty finding good mentors throughout my career. I hope
someday that women and people of color will occupy more rungs at the top of the
ladder.
a Latina scientist, I’ve often been in situations where I might be considered
“other.” I’ve had difficulty finding good mentors throughout my career. I hope
someday that women and people of color will occupy more rungs at the top of the
ladder.
To
paraphrase Joan Procter: Why shouldn’t a
woman run the world?
paraphrase Joan Procter: Why shouldn’t a
woman run the world?
Patricia Valdez is an author and
scientist who loves writing for children. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular and
Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and currently works
at the National Institutes of Health. Originally from Texas, she now lives in
the Washington, D.C. area. Her first picture book, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, is a 2019 NCTE Orbis Pictus
Recommended Book. Find more at patriciavaldezbooks.com and follow her on
Twitter @Patricia_Writer
scientist who loves writing for children. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular and
Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and currently works
at the National Institutes of Health. Originally from Texas, she now lives in
the Washington, D.C. area. Her first picture book, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, is a 2019 NCTE Orbis Pictus
Recommended Book. Find more at patriciavaldezbooks.com and follow her on
Twitter @Patricia_Writer
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5 Responses
Great post Patricia. I too hope that is the case, someday soon.
Another great post in this series! Thank you, Patricia and Melissa, for showing how authors personally connect to their nonfiction topics.
Climb high, Patricia!! Love Joan Procter, and look forward to more books from you!!
I love this book! When I picked it up, I was surprised to read about a woman I'd never heard of, one who clearly wasn't afraid of confronting men. Love how many bios about strong women are coming out, so many lives being illuminated, no longer relegated to the shadows of history.
I loved the book! Had never heard of this person, and she came across loud and clear in the pages — someone with a calling. A delightful gift to learn about her.