European Women in Chemistry

Weinheim, Germany—January 17, 2011—Wiley-VCH and EuCheMS is proud to announce the publication of a highly accessible collection of short profiles, featuring over 50 of the most outstanding European women chemists. Dating back to ancient times, this comprehensive collection includes early pioneers such as Mary the Jewess and features chemists up to present day such as Nobel Laureate, Ada Yonath.

European Women in Chemistry highlights over fifty remarkable women who have been pioneers as women in science and in the vanguard of the development of chemistry. It looks not only at the scientific story, but the personal sacrifices and societal opposition that many of these great women scientists had to overcome to make their mark in the early days of chemistry.

The book covers the major contributions that these women have brought to chemistry, from developments in crystallography, elucidation of the structure of ribosome and the discovery of DNA and radiation. Many of their discoveries were ground breaking, award winning and set chemistry on new paths. The women profiled in European Women in Chemistry range from the famous and well-known figures, such as Nobel Laureates Marie Curie, Ada Yonath, Irene Joliot-Curie and Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, to women whose reputations are not so well known, but whose contributions have been vital to the field.

Written as a tribute to women chemists, European Women in Chemistry serves as an inspiration for up and coming chemists, as they too develop their careers and research in the 21st century.

The year 2011 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie. It is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to science, and to introduce the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011). IYC 2011 commences in Paris this January, and is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind.

“Women in Chemistry” is a main theme of IYC 2011, and a global networking event titled “Women Sharing a Chemical Moment in Time,” will be held on January 18th. The event aims to link women chemists around the world and to celebrate the pivotal role of Marie Curie in chemistry.

European Women in Chemistry is the official book of EuCheMS societies for the International Year of Chemistry. For more information on the events of the forthcoming year, please visit: www.chemistry2011.org.

For a review copy of the book, or to arrange an interview with one of the editors, please contact Michelle Martella on [email protected] or +1 781-388-8577.