Pioneering scientist Marjory Stephenson commemorated in Royal Society documentary
Newnham students pay tribute to alumna Marjory Stephenson (NC 1903) in a Royal Society film to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the election of the first two women to be Fellows of the Royal Society, Marjory and Kathleen Lonsdale of University College London.
The Royal Society have launched a year of celebration of the historical and contemporary achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to support and empower more women and girls to get involved in science.
In the trailer for the documentary, several of our current undergraduates reflected on the importance of Stephenson and pioneering female scientists. Ciara Avis, Maia Davies, Sakina Dhirani, Chloe Hambleton, Mafalda Merladet Moreno, and Martha Richmond discuss the legacy of Marjory Stephenson and the story of women in STEM.
“The opportunities will come if I work hard because the opportunities have been created by the women before me, they have opened up the doors so that I can walk through,” Sakina Dhirani
“Something that we are just not taught at school is the contribution of women in STEM,” Chloe Hambleton
“A phenomenal woman”
Described by Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock as “a phenomenal woman” Marjory Stephenson (NC 1903) was a pioneer of bacterial biochemistry, whose work formed the basis of much of our current understanding of biotechnology, including antibiotic production and environmental microbiology. Her book Bacterial Metabolism (1930) became the standard textbook for generations of microbiologists. A founder of the Society for General Microbiology, she also served as its second president after refusing to be its first.
The new films mark the start of a year of activity at the Royal Society celebrating, supporting and empowering women in STEM. We were delighted that The Guardian featured Marjory's story and the Royal Society tribute this weekend.
Professor Alison Noble FRS, Vice President of the Royal Society and chair of its Women in STEM committee, said: “Marjory Stephenson and Kathleen Lonsdale were pioneers not only as the first women to be elected to the Royal Society Fellowship, paving the way for so many others, but also in what they achieved as scientists. While we celebrate their remarkable legacy, we cannot ignore that women were only admitted to the Royal Society - an institution founded in 1660 - as recently as 80 years ago. Women have always played an active role in scientific research, and as we continue to celebrate women past and present, we hope this will encourage and inspire scientists of the future.”
Newnham College and the Hopkins Building and Colman Library in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge both served as key locations in the Royal Society documentary, presented by Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Professor Judith Armitage.
Professor Judy Armitage FRS, also a former president of the Microbiology Society, said: “Marjory Stephenson was a meticulous, innovative scientist who laid the groundwork for all future studies of bacterial biochemistry, identifying that the complexity of metabolic pathways and the ability of bacteria to respond to change. She trained a generation of biochemists who went on to lead major research groups across the world, but she is largely overlooked because she gave them credit for discoveries and did not seek recognition. Indeed, she chastised any proteges she thought distracted from their science by the pursuit of fame and fortune, but she also provided great support to her students and was clearly loved by them.”
Royal Society Fellows
Several Newnham alumnae and Honorary Fellows have been made Fellows of the Royal Society since 1945:
- Marjory Stephenson (NC 1903)
- Agnes Arber (NC 1899) FRS
- Dr Inge Lehman (NC 1910)
- Professor Brenda Milner (NC 1936)
- Professor Anne Marie Treisman (NC 1953)
- Dr Olga Kennard (NC 1942)
- Honorary Fellow Dr Brigid Hogan FRS (NC 1961)
- Dame Henrietta Miriam Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS (NC 1983)
- Honorary Fellow Professor Jan Anderson
- Honorary Fellow Professor Patricia Simpson
Dr Birgitta Olofsson produced a tribute to Marjory in this wonderful film which she shared with Newnham College for the celebrations of our 150th Anniversary.
