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This Women’s History Month celebrate the female leaders of Society for Science!

By Lucy Curtis

Six issues of Science News through history.
Learn more about the history of Society for Science's amazing female leaders! Courtesy of Society for Science

March is Women’s History Month, and here at Society for Science we have plenty of our own history to celebrate. Science News has been led by a female Editor in Chief since 1995, and the Society more broadly has had a female President and CEO since 2005. Science News has also had a long history of trailblazing female journalists, and this is mirrored in the Society’s programmatic leadership by Dorothy Schriver, the first director of both the Science Talent Search and the International Science and Engineering Fair. Our current leadership, comprised of Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Nancy Shute, Editor in Chief of Science News, continues the decades-long tradition of women leaders paving the way for STEM literacy and education.

This March let’s look back nearly thirty years and celebrate a few of the women who have made the Society what it is today.

Dorothy Schriver walks by the White House with STS finalists in 1976.
Dorothy Schriver walks by the White House with STS finalists in 1976. Courtesy of Society for Science

Dorothy Schriver: Director of the Science Talent Search and International Science and Engineering Fair (1942 – 1990)

Dorothy Schriver was instrumental in launching the Westinghouse Science Talent Search (STS) in 1942 and served as its director for 28 years. She was also the director of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), and in 1985 was awarded a NASA Public Service Award for her work on ISEF. Dorothy was a tireless advocate for STS and ISEF finalists throughout her tenure. In her retirement, Dorothy volunteered at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. She passed away in May of 2007.

Ann Ewing: Physical Science and Astronomy Writer, Science Service (1949 – 1969)

Ann Ewing reported on astronomy, physics and medicine for Science Service and is credited as the first journalist to use the term “black hole” in science journalism. In 1942 Ann joined the Navy and served overseas as a lieutenant and journalist during the Second World War. In 1952, Ann joined the Washington Press Club and was one of the first female members of the National Press Club once they began to admit women. She lived in the D.C. area for most of her life and passed away in July of 2010.

A headshot of Julie Ann Miller.
Julie Ann Miller served as the Editor in Chief of Science News from 1995 to 2007 Courtesy of Julie Ann Miller

Julie Ann Miller:
Editor in Chief, Science News (1995 – 2007)

Julie Ann Miller began her career at Science News as a life sciences writer in 1976 and remained in that position until 1986. She then left for a position at another monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal, BioScience, where she served as an editor until she returned to Science News as the Editor in Chief in 1995. Julie led the magazine through the first redesign in its history and oversaw the creation of the online version of Science News as well as Science News for Kids. After her 12-year tenure at Science News, Julie became the Senior Manager of Publications for RTI International, and then transitioned to the role of Associate Director of Content Development for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. She is currently retired.

A headshot of Elizabeth Marincola.
Elizabeth Marincola served as President and CEO of Society for Science from 2005 to 2013 Courtesy of Elizabeth Marincola

Elizabeth Marincola:
President and CEO, Society for Science (2005 – 2013)

Elizabeth Marincola served as President and CEO of Society for Science from 2005 to 2013. Before coming to the Society, Elizabeth was the Executive Director of The American Society for Cell Biology from 1991 to 2005. During her eight years at the Society, she worked with Science News Editor in Chief Julie Ann Miller on the magazine’s first redesign, launching Kindle and iPad editions of the magazine to make it more accessible in an increasingly digital world. She also helped to revamp the website to include the latest stories in science. After her time at Society for Science she became the CEO of the Public Library of Science until 2016. She now serves as the Senior Advisor for Open Science for the Alliance for Excellence in Science in Africa, the African Academy of Sciences and the Science for Africa Foundation.

Eva Emerson: Editor in Chief, Science News (2012-2017)

Eva Emerson became Editor in Chief of Science News in 2012, after serving as Managing Editor of the magazine for five years. Before coming to the Society, Eva was Associate Editor of the Office of Communications at the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, where she edited and wrote for the alumni magazine and other campus publications. She was also a science content coordinator for the Magic School Bus television show from 1995 to 1996. Eva is currently the Editor in Chief at Knowable Magazine.

Explore the Society’s history further here.

Lucy Curtis