26/07/2023
Rosalind Franklin, the British scientist who first discovered the helix shape of DNA, was born on this day in 1920. Franklin, who graduated with a doctorate in physical chemistry from Cambridge University in 1945, used her knowledge of x-ray diffraction techniques to take the first photo of DNA, referred to as Photo 51. Without her permission, fellow researcher Maurice Wilkins later showed her photo to James Watson and Francis Crick, who were also trying to determine the structure of DNA. Franklin's photo allowed them to deduce the structure and, shortly thereafter, they published a series of articles about the discovery, only mentioning Franklin's contributions in a footnote. While Watson, Crick and Wilkins received the Nobel Prize in 1962 for their contributions to science, Franklin had passed away due to cancer four years prior and was not eligible for the award.
While Franklin has become increasingly recognized for her immense contributions to molecular biology, even today, students everywhere learn the story of Watson and Crick's discovery but few are taught about the critical contributions of Rosalind Franklin to understanding the nature of DNA. Franklin's story remains one of the most famous and egregious examples of a female scientist being denied credit for her work due to sexism.
Rosalind Franklin's story has been told in the first-ever picture book for kids, ages 5 to 8, at https://www.amightygirl.com/rosalind-franklin-little-people
She is also the subject of a new chapter book "She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin" for ages 6 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/she-persisted-rosalind-franklin
For adults who would like to learn more about this pioneering scientist's life and work, we highly recommend the excellent biography "Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA" at https://www.amightygirl.com/rosalind-franklin-dark-lady
There is also a powerful historical fiction novel telling her story, "Her Hidden Genius," at https://www.amightygirl.com/her-hidden-genius
She is also one of four inspiring women of science featured on the 'Famous Women in Science Socks' for teens and adults at https://www.amightygirl.com/famous-women-in-science-socks
To inspire your Mighty Girl with stories starring girls who love science and technology, check out our blog post, "60 Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13914
And if you'd like to encourage your Mighty Girl's interest in science, you can find many girl-empowering science toys and kits in our blog post, "Top Science Toys for Mighty Girls" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10528
