Tag: Latest

Eunice Foote: A Scientist Written Out of History 

Harshitha Chaganti 
March 2025

Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Marie Curie are the names that often come to mind when we think of great scientists, yet only one of them is a woman. Throughout history, countless women have made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, only to have their contributions overlooked or credited to men. One such scientist is Eunice Newton Foote, a pioneering researcher whose work on the greenhouse effect predated some of the most well-known climate science, yet for years her name remained in the shadows of history.

Eunice Newton Foote was born on July 17, 1819 in Goshen, Connecticut. She pursued her education at the Troy Female Seminary (now Emma Willard School), an institution famous for its progressive approach to women’s education during the era. There, she developed an interest in scientific subjects, laying the groundwork for her future experiments.

In 1856, Foote conducted experiments to understand the warming effect of various different atmospheric gases. Using household items, glass cylinders, thermometers, and an air pump, she measured how gases carbon dioxide (then known as “carbonic acid gas”) and water vapor absorbed heat when exposed to sunlight. Her findings were groundbreaking: 

• Carbon Dioxide’s Heat Absorption: Foote observed that carbon dioxide absorbed more heat and retained it longer than other gases, leading her to conclude that an atmosphere rich in this gas would elevate Earth’s temperature. 
• Implications for Climate: She hypothesized that variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could have contributed to historical climate changes, suggesting that higher concentrations would result in a warmer planet. 

Foote’s work predated the more widely recognized experiments of John Tyndall by three years, yet her contributions remained largely unrecognized during her lifetime. Had her research received the attention it deserved, discussions about climate change might have begun much earlier, potentially influencing policies and scientific advancements that could have helped mitigate global warming before it became a crisis.

Despite the significance of her research, Foote faced societal barriers typical of the 19th century. As a woman, she was not permitted to present her findings at the 1856 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Instead, Professor Joseph Henry of the Smithsonian Institution presented her paper, acknowledging the limitations placed on women in science at the time.

Foote’s work was subsequently overshadowed, and her name faded into obscurity. It wasn’t until recent decades that historians and scientists revisited her experiments, recognizing her as a pioneer in climate science. In 2019, on the 200th anniversary of her birth, NOAA celebrated her contributions, shedding light on her role in early climate studies.

Eunice Newton Foote’s story is a testament to the challenges women in science have historically faced and the importance of acknowledging their contributions. Her experiments laid the foundation for our understanding of the greenhouse effect and climate change. Today, as we grapple with global warming, Foote’s early insights serve as a reminder of the critical need for diverse voices in scientific discourse.

By bringing Eunice Foote’s legacy to the forefront, we not only honor her achievements but also inspire future generations of women scientists to pursue their passions, undeterred by the biases of their time.

References

[1] First Paper to link CO2 and global warming, by Eunice Foote (1856). The Public Domain Review. (n.d.). https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/first-paper-to-link-co2-and-global-warming-by-eunice-foote-1856/ 

[2] Huddleston, A. (2019, July 17). Happy 200th birthday to Eunice Foote, Hidden Climate Science Pioneer. NOAA Climate.gov. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/features/happy-200th-birthday-eunice-foote-hidden-climate-science-pioneer

[3] Kurland, Z., Hafner, K., & Feder, E. (2024, February 20). The woman who demonstrated the greenhouse effect. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-woman-who-demonstrated-the-greenhouse-effect

Closing the Wealth Gap: How Women Are Reshaping the Investment World 

Shriya Parvatikar 
March 2025

For decades, investing has been seen as something men do — whether it is leading a big financial firm, managing investment portfolios, or even trading stocks. Women have been constantly underrepresented in the stock market and wealth-building opportunities. However, in recent years, there has been a massive shift as more women take charge of their financial futures and challenge the traditional hurdle in the investment world. These developments not only serve as significant steps in mitigating the gender gap but also prove that financial independence is not only a goal — it’s a necessity. 

The Persistent Gender Investing Gap 

The gender investing gap still hugely persists. According to a 2018 study held in the UK, the total value of the investments that women (aged 21-53) saved was half the amount that their male counterparts had saved ^[1]. This is a huge gap in investments considering the fact that on average, women live longer than men, yet they usually retire with less wealth which puts them at a higher risk of financial insecurity in the later parts of their age. A 2021 Women and Investing report from Fidelity Investments states that even though women’s investment portfolios often outperform men’s, only 33% of women see themselves as investors ^[2]. Why is that? Some of the possible rationale are: lower financial confidence, the gender pay gap, and a lack of representation in financial education. 

Moreover, women have significantly less shares than their male counterparts. According to a 2022 report, male executives own 99 times more shares in S&P 500 companies than their female counterparts ^[3]. This is alarming since women make up a quarter of C-Suite leadership in the firms. In addition to that, women tend to have investment account balances that are 44% lower than men’s, as reported by The Motley Fool ^[4]. This is not just a mere matter of investing, it is about long-term wealth, financial security, and making sure women have the same opportunities to build a sustainable and independent financial life. 

Flipping the Script of the Investment World 

Good News! This gap is slowly and gradually closing as more financial tools and platforms are developing to help women all over the world to be able to invest confidently. 

These platforms include the following:

– Companies such as Ellevest are specifically designed to help women build on their wealth by offering financial planning services and wealth management. 

– More firms such as BBG Ventures and BRAVA are supporting female entrepreneurs and allocating money to businesses that support women’s empowerment.  

– The increase in financial literacy programs such as Female Invest is helping educate women about money, making investing more widespread and accessible. 

In addition to these developments, the number of women investing in the stock market has significantly improved. The Motley Fool further states that 71% of women are now investing in the stock market, a notable rise driven by the younger generations ^[4]. Additionally, as more women have started investing, studies have started to prove that women investors often achieve better returns than men. For instance, a 2024 analysis report by The Fintech Times emphasized that Australian women outperformed men by 4%. Women are also more likely to focus on being sustainable and socially responsible while investing, and promoting ethical business practices ^[5]. 

This notable progress can be further accelerated through these initiatives: 

• Promoting financial education in rural places in which women are obliged to stick to the social/traditional norms. This can amplify the number of women investing and guarantee a better future for themselves. 

• Closing the prevalent wage cap can address income disparity and eliminate blockages that are stopping women from investing. This way, they can gain more capital to support their investment. 

• Encouraging more women into leadership roles in finance can inspire others to participate and support. 

As more women take charge of their financial lives, they not only secure a stable future for themselves but also challenge the traditional stereotypes that decide what women can and cannot do. The rise of investors is more than just a trend, it is a huge step that is reshaping the financial world for the better.

Sources 

[1] The gender investing gap: Investments. NatWest. (n.d.). 

https://www.natwest.com/investments/our-insights/gender-investing-gap.html

[2] 2021 women and investing study. Fidelity Investments. (2021). 

https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/060_www_fidelity_com/documents/about-fidelity/FidelityIn vestmentsWomen&InvestingStudy2021.pdf 

[3] Zilber, A. (2022, June 6). Male executives own 99 times more S&P shares than women: Report. New York Post. 

https://nypost.com/2022/06/06/male-executives-own-99-times-more-sp-shares-than-women-repo rt/ 

[4] Daly, L. (2025, March 13). Women and investing statistics for 2025. The Motley Fool. https://www.fool.com/research/women-in-investing-statistics/ 

[5] Bleach, T. (2025, February 24). Revolut: Women investors outperform men by 4% in 2024 as Investment Gap Closes. The Fintech Times. 

https://thefintechtimes.com/revolut-women-investors-outperform-men-by-4-in-2024-as-investme nt-gap-closes/#:~:text=Women’s%20investments%20outperformed%20men’s%20by,returns%20 than%20men%20in%202024.