This article, which discusses significant contributions to science and technology, is shared with permission from The Conversation, a digital platform dedicated to disseminating recent research findings.

A full thirteen years before any other woman took on a technical role at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA (the organization that preceded NASA), Pearl Young was already making significant strides there. Her role as a vocal and determined advocate for herself and her team set the groundwork for the inclusion of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for many years to follow.

As a woman in STEM myself, the story of Pearl Young resonates deeply with me. I draw inspiration from recounting the achievements of women who have left a durable mark on STEM. I currently lead the NASA-supported North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, which strives to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere in STEM fields. Young’s narrative is a powerful testament to overcoming obstacles, self-advocacy, and fostering a supportive community.

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Overcoming Early Barriers

Pearl Young was a multifaceted professional: a scientist, educator, technical editor, and researcher. Born in 1895, she was intimately familiar with the challenges women faced during her time.

In the early 20th century, obtaining a college degree in STEM was often seen as inappropriate for women, and those who did were viewed as unconventional. During the 1940s and 1950s, mentors who supported women in advanced STEM fields were sometimes accused of harboring communist sympathies.

In a stark example of the era’s sexism, a 1956 article by the National Science Foundation was titled: “Women are NOT for Engineering.”

Despite these societal barriers, Young graduated in 1919 from the University of North Dakota with a triple major in physics, mathematics, and chemistry, earning honors. This marked the beginning of her long and impactful career in STEM.

Path to Becoming a Technical Editor

Despite the challenging environment for women, Young navigated her way through various technical positions at NACA. Due to her vast expertise, she worked across multiple divisions—including physics, instrumentation, and aerodynamics—and recognized a common issue: many technical reports written by her colleagues lacked clarity and utility.

In a 1959 interview, Young recalled her early years at NACA, emphasizing her interest in enhancing report quality, which led to her proposing the role of a technical editor since engineers were too busy to refine their reports.

Three years after her proposal, in 1935, she was appointed as an assistant technical editor in the publications section. She was promoted to associate technical editor in 1941.

In 1941, NACA founded the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory, now known as NASA Glenn Research Center, in Cleveland. Two years later, Young was asked to head a new technical editing section there.

One of her significant contributions during her tenure at the laboratory was the publication of the Style Manual for Engineering Authors in 1943, a manual so vital that NASA’s History Office later recognized Young as the architect of the NACA technical reports system.

This manual, which was translated into multiple languages, established specific formatting standards for technical writing, ensuring consistency and aiding efficient operations during World War II.

It took 11 years after her initial suggestion for Young to be promoted to full technical editor, the first person to ever hold this title at the agency, though she had to progress through lower levels first.

Pearl Young’s Tenacious Advocacy

Young’s legacy is not just in her professional achievements but also in her fearless character. She was known for staunchly defending her team and challenging authority when necessary.

She fought against wrongful accusations directed at her editing team, wrote proposals to ensure her office was properly recognized within the research division, and always credited her team’s collective efforts.

Moreover, she secured additional staff to reduce overwhelming workloads and wrote memos to help her colleagues achieve deserved promotions. Her actions, often described as “raising hell,” were crucial in advocating for her team’s rights and recognition.

Throughout her career at NACA, Young’s work was exemplary, earning her the prestigious Sioux Award from the University of North Dakota in 1967 for her professional accomplishments and contributions to the university.

In 1995, and again in 2014, NASA Langley Research Center named a theater after her, located in NASA’s Integrated Engineering Services Building. In 2015, she was posthumously inducted into the inaugural NASA/NACA Langley Hall of Honor.

Continuing Challenges for Women in STEM

While the forms of sexism in STEM have evolved, the underlying gender-based inequities persist. Women in STEM still face microaggressions, marginalization, and hostile work environments, which include unequal pay, under-recognition, and disproportionate service expectations.

Women often lack supportive networks and face systemic barriers like not being recognized as authority figures, or being judged too harshly when displaying leadership qualities.

Women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities encounter even greater challenges due to intersectional discrimination.

Highlighting these issues through stories of perseverance, like that of Pearl Young, is vital in addressing and overcoming these systemic barriers.

This content originally appeared on The Conversation. Read the full original article there.