Role Models - Linda

Personal Role Model - Ellen Eliel (Grandma)

My maternal grandmother was a holocaust survivor, which gave her a very difficult start to life. She managed to overcome this trauma supported by years of therapy.​ Growing up around her resilience, strength and no-nonsense attitude has greatly inspired me, making my grandmother my biggest role model.

Her strength supported me to overcome personal difficult moments. I learned a lot from how my grandmother managed to re-build her life, and how trauma deeply affects people - her presence in my life has made me more considerate and interested in others. She was passionate to share her story to teach others and make sure the past was not forgotten, which embedded the importance of storytelling in me. Her dedication to share her story, and to fight for justice and inequality, has inspired me to fight for causes which are important to me.

Her resilience was endless, she never shied away from a discussion, and she stood up for her own rights till the last moments of her life (see Episode 1 of the Dare to Discuss podcast). She was always keen to learn new things even at an age of 91. Discussing STEM topics with her made me realise my passion, interest and ability to teach - highly influencing my career path. My grandmother loved meeting new people, and she liked challenging others to discuss sensitive topics and go beyond their comfort zone. She had the amazing power to make everyone love her for being herself.

Academic Role Model - Wang Zhenyi

(Illustration by Matteo Farinella)

For my course Introduction to Science, I talk about a wide range of scientific concepts and discoveries. At first, my classes included the best known scientists – mainly men. I was challenged by my students and myself to diversify the scientists which I teach about, and I learned about so many inspiring women in science!

One of them is Wang Zhenyi, an astronomer and mathematician who made great discoveries, although as a woman living in the 18th century she was not expected to be a scientist. I love her approach to science. She studied eclipses with a self-built model of the solar system using lamps and mirrors, wrote books on maths for beginners, and was know for her activism in gender equality. 

I am very inspired by Wang Zhenyi’s dedication to STEM and activism, her approach to research and her dedication to disseminate her knowledge and views. Impressively, she only turned 29 and still left a huge legacy at that age!

"Zhenyi made a life for herself that was not constricted by rules of what a woman could or could not be" (Vashti Harrison, p4)

"it's made to believe/women are the same as men;/are you not convinced/daughters can also be heroic – Wang Zhenyi " (Rachel Ignotofsky, p12)