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Women ahead of their time

Mulheres à frente do seu tempo

Meet women ahead of their time who changed history! And who continue to make history.

In this article, discover the legacy of some women who shaped our present and inspire our future.

Genetics, Physics and Technology.

Three extremely important areas for human development, which are still the subject of studies today.

And also, these are three areas where great women acted brilliantly in the past, discovering facts that shaped our way of life forever.

In this article, we will tell the story of Rosalind Franklin, Marie Curie and Hedy Lammar.

Three women who were ahead of their time and who achieved positions that were previously reserved only for men. These are remarkable and inspiring stories that help us understand the importance of women in various social and cultural aspects.

Through them we can motivate hundreds of other women who have work as important as theirs, and who can also be, in a way, women ahead of their time.

In this same context, we will tell you a little about Camila, Daniela and Isabel. Three women who work in our present to transform our future.

Get inspired by stories from the past and present that transform and will transform the future.

The story of the “wronged scientist”

Rosalind Franklin was born in London in 1920 and showed an early interest and ability in science classes. At a time when few schools for girls offered chemistry and physics, she knew at the age of 15 that her future would be in science.

In 1938, he entered Newnham College, part of the University of Cambridge, to study chemistry, where he later obtained his doctorate in 1945 for his research on the microstructures of carbon and graphite.

Franklin participated in several research groups, including his work at the British Association for Research into the Use of Coal in Paris, where he used X-ray crystallography, a technique that would become crucial to his future discoveries.

During the four years she spent in France, Rosalind Franklin perfected her use of X-ray crystallography, a technique used to create images of microscopic elements.

It was through her expertise in this field that she produced what became one of the most famous images in the history of biology: "Photograph 51".

This image, captured in 1952, was a discovery that revolutionized biology and genetics.

However, despite the importance of his discoveries, Franklin did not receive adequate recognition in his time.

Unfortunately, Maurice Wilkins, a lab colleague, shared his findings with James Watson and Francis Crick, who were later credited with discovering the structure of DNA and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962.

Yet Rosalind Franklin's legacy transcends the injustices she suffered during her lifetime.

It was from this that it was discovered that genetic material can be copied and replicated, and can be passed from generation to generation.

Furthermore, it was essential for the development of the biotechnology industry, providing the scientific community with a greater understanding of human biology.

Through his studies:

  • It is possible to develop medicines such as insulin, which today helps millions of people diagnosed with diabetes.
  • It is possible to find out whether a person has a certain genetic disease or predisposition to a disease whose genetic factor is relevant.
  • It is possible to study the tumor of a cancer patient, for example, and based on the construction of a genetic profile, combine the best medication for their specific case.

Despite the injustices suffered by Rosalind Franklin, her contribution is now recognized and valued, highlighting the importance of women in science and inspiring future generations to follow in her footsteps.

We can say that, yes, she was a woman who was ahead of her time.

The story of the first female Nobel Prize winner

Marie Curie, born in 1867 in Poland, was a pioneering scientist whose legacy revolutionized science and inspired future generations.

In partnership with her husband, Pierre Curie, she took the first steps toward understanding radioactivity, a term she herself coined. Her careful investigations led to the discovery of two new chemical elements, polonium and radium, in 1898.

These discoveries not only marked the history of science, but also earned Marie Curie the title of the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize and the first person to win the prize twice, first in Physics (1903, shared with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) and then in Chemistry (1911).

In addition to her scientific contributions, Marie Curie demonstrated remarkable generosity.

She shared the financial resources obtained from her Nobel Prizes with colleagues and friends in need, emphasizing her commitment not only to science but also to the scientific community and the well-being of others.

During World War I, she and her daughter Irène developed mobile radiography units, known as "petites Curies", which revolutionized the medical treatment of wounded soldiers.

The "radiological car" had an X-ray machine and darkroom photographic equipment that could be transported anywhere.

These units enabled rapid and accurate diagnoses, saving countless lives and changing the course of military medicine.

The research not only unraveled the mysteries of radioactivity, but also paved the way for vital medical applications.

His discoveries continue to inspire new generations of scientists, influencing the field of physics to this day.

His work not only paved the way for significant advances in the study of radioactive elements, but also spurred advances in medicine and many other areas of science, demonstrating the lasting impact of his genius and determination.

We can say that, yes, she was a woman who was ahead of her time.


The actress who revolutionized technology

Hedy Lamarr, born in 1914 in Austria, is recognized not only as a talented film actress, but also as a brilliant mind behind one of the most significant inventions of the 20th century.

Despite her prominence as an actress, Lamarr possessed an inexhaustible curiosity and entrepreneurial vision that took her beyond the confines of Hollywood.

During World War II, she was faced with the challenges faced by the United States Navy, particularly with radio-guided torpedo control systems, which were susceptible to enemy detection and interception.

To solve this problem, Lamarr joined forces with composer George Antheil, with whom she worked at the MGM studio.

Together, they developed the "Secret Communication System", a revolutionary innovation that consisted of a device capable of constantly altering the frequencies of torpedoes, making it difficult for enemies to intercept them.

Presented to the United States Navy in 1942, the system was initially rejected due to its complexity and technological advancement for the time.

Despite this, Lamarr continued to pursue her film career after the rejection, while the system began to gain recognition in technological fields.

However, decades later, his contributions were finally recognized when the system served as the basis for the development of modern technologies such as CDMA and, most notably, Wi-Fi.

In 2014, Lamarr and Antheil were posthumously honored with the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer Award and were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame , highlighting the lasting legacy of their genius and vision.

Hedy Lamarr's story transcends the confines of cinema to show that creativity and entrepreneurial spirit can thrive in any field, even in the most challenging times, such as those of war.

Its legacy resonates deeply in today's technology landscape, where Wi-Fi plays a key role in global connectivity, allowing people to freely browse the internet without relying on physical cables.

We can say that, yes, she was a woman who was ahead of her time.

Women ahead of their time

After learning a little more about the history of three brilliant women from the past, we need to praise great women of our present.

They are actively working to provide everyone with a better future, respecting the health and well-being of the human body.

Let us introduce Camila, Isabel and Daniela. Three women who overflow with strength and determination.

Having worked with body and movement for 20 years, and for the last 13 years dedicating herself meticulously to the study of feet, Camila Wippel is an Osteopathic Physiotherapist - DO from the Madrid School of Osteopathy, Founder of Fluir Saúde Consciente.

She is responsible for developing a randomized clinical trial on a very common dysfunction among people.

The objective of his research was to prove the connection between feet and the health of the body, the benefits of using sneakers designed for the feet (barefoot) and the harm that traditional footwear has caused over the years with its daily use.

Isabel Sacco is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of USP and Coordinator of Labimph (FOFITO - FMUSP), whose main areas of research today include Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of people with diabetes and osteoarthritis, and recreational runners.

She was honored in 2014 by CNPq as one of 22 young female researchers PQ-1 (under 40 years of age), for her academic career of national and international recognition with relevant scientific production and an important role in the training of human resources.

In addition, she is the author/co-author of 171 published articles, author of 2 books and 10 published book chapters.

Daniela Messeder is co-founder of the Feet of Tomorrow brand, a pioneer in the country in barefoot sneakers.

After seven years working in Italy for a multinational company, she returned to Brazil in search of fulfilling her dream: becoming an entrepreneur.

With a focus on creating something new, transforming it into her own brand, she joined forces with her partner Fábio, and they started a company that is now revolutionizing the national tennis market.

Barefoot FOT goes beyond comfort. It naturally strengthens the muscles in your feet, improves balance and posture, and feels freer to move like never before.

What do these women, past and present, have in common?

They are all visionary, intelligent and strong.

They are women who are ahead of their time, working to leave a legacy that benefits everyone.

There are different areas of activity that today empower women fairly and value their efforts.

There is still a long way to go, but if we are inspired by the stories of women like these, we can be sure of a much better future.

To all women, Happy Women's Day.

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