Google Doodle 2025: Celebrating Women in STEM on International Women’s Day

The very first women's day was observed on February 28, 1909, in New York City by Theresa Malkiel, a labor activist, educator, and suffragist -- The event was taken ahead by women garment workers' strikes in 1908, where women protested against poor working conditions and demanded better wages and voting rights for themselves.

In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, proposed the idea of an annual International Women's Day at the International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen. This conference was attended by representatives of various countries, and they all agreed upon the idea of IWD.
Her idea was that every country should celebrate a day where women demand their rights, including the right to vote, work, and hold public office.
The first official International Women's Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, in which a million people participated in organizing protests and advocating for women’s rights, better wages, and voting rights.

Why IWD is Celebrated on 8^th March

Russian women Alexandra Kollontai led a massive strike demanding “Bread and Peace” during World War I in 1917 on March 8^th From then on, March 8 became the official date for International Women’s Day worldwide.

Why did Google choose the STEM theme this year to celebrate International Women’s Day?

Google became the voice that highlighted the significant contributions of women in science, mathematics, and technology through its International Women’s Day Doodle.
From the heart of family to the mind of the tech world, women have shifted themselves from being silent contributors to becoming pioneering innovators, breaking barriers and now shaping the future of technology.

This isn’t merely a piece of digital art, it’s a powerful declaration. Google effectively became a storyteller, illustrating the critical role women play in solving complex mathematical problems and driving scientific innovation. This Doodle serves as a powerful reminder that women have been, and continue to be, an integral part of the scientific community, breaking stereotypes and making strides in fields that were once considered male-dominated.

Current Development ratio of Women in STEM

Despite the undeniable brilliance and contributions of women in STEM, they still make up only 28% of the global STEM workforce
This reminder serves as both a celebration of their achievements and a call to action—to create more opportunities, break stereotypes, and inspire future generations of women to step into the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with confidence.

Some of the remarkable women in 21st Century in the Tech World:

1. Marianna S. Safronova – Field: Theoretical Atomic Physics

Contribution: She is renowned for her high-precision calculations of atomic properties and studies on parity non-conservations in systems with one valence electron.
Recognition: She was elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2011 for her innovative development of high-accuracy computational methods in atomic structure and dynamics.

2. Dawn Shaughnessy -- Field: Nuclear and Radiochemistry

Contribution: She leads the heavy element group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and has been instrumental in the discovery of superheavy elements with atomic numbers 114 to 118.
Recognition: She was elected a Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2018 and was inducted into the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame in 2012.

3. Dr. Dipanwita Dutta -- Field: High Energy Nuclear Physics

Contribution: She is renowned for her research on Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), a state of matter believed to have existed shortly after the Big Bang. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of high-energy nuclear interactions.

Recognition: As of September 2024, she holds an h-index of 244 with over 286,000 citations, making her one of the most cited researchers in India.

4. Dr. Indumathi D -- Field: Particle Physics

Contribution: She has been an active member of the Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO) project, focusing on atmospheric and solar neutrinos. Her research has provided deeper insights into nucleon and nuclear structure functions, enhancing our understanding of fundamental particles.

Recognition: She is recognized for her extensive research publications and her role in promoting neutrino physics in India.

Another Example highlighting Women’s Intelligence since the 20th Century

From Numbers to Legacy: How Shakuntala Devi’s Mind Changed the World

One of the most inspiring examples of women excelling in STEM is Shakuntala Devi, often hailed as the "Human Computer." Her extraordinary mathematical abilities, showcased through rapid mental calculations, shattered the notion that mathematics is a male-dominated field. Despite having no formal training, she stunned the world with her ability to solve complex calculations in seconds, even earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Her story was so impactful that it was brought to life in the 2020 Bollywood biopic "Shakuntala Devi," starring Vidya Balan. The film not only celebrated her genius but also highlighted the challenges women face in STEM and how perseverance can break societal barriers. Shakuntala Devi's legacy continues to inspire young girls to pursue careers in mathematics and science, proving that brilliance knows no gender.

Happy International Women’s Day 2025 to all the Brave and Beautiful ladies!