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3 Latinas leading the way in STEM fields
When we talk about women making a mark in STEM, there’s no denying that Latinas are a force to be reckoned with. They’re pushing boundaries, challenging stereotypes, and redefining what it means to be a scientist, engineer, or innovator in a space where representation still lags far behind. From space exploration to medicine to science policy, these powerhouse women are proving that not only do they belong in STEM, but that the world is better because they’re in it.
The Numbers Tell a Story
In the United States, Latinos make up 17% of the total STEM workforce, but Latinas represent only a small fraction of that number. According to the PEW Research Center, just 3% of Hispanic people working in STEM are women. Across all areas of academia, Latinas represent less than 2.5% of the professoriate, and in STEM specifically, that number is even lower.
Globally, the World Bank Gender Data Portal reports that only 35% of STEM students in Latin America are women, highlighting the systemic inequalities that persist from education to employment. On top of the gender gap, Latina and Black women in STEM earn 37% less than men in comparable positions (AAUW). And among the entire U.S. STEM labor force, only 0.0051% are Latina women, a staggering statistic that reflects both the challenges and the urgency of change.
Beyond numbers, Latina scientists often face social, cultural, and economic barriers, compounded by experiences of migration. Leaving behind culture, family, and language to pursue opportunity in science is not easy. The weight of representation, and the pressure to succeed, can be immense. Yet, these women persist, creating paths where few have existed before.
Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space, changed the game forever
We’ve got to start with Ellen Ochoa, the trailblazer who made history as the first Latina astronaut to travel to space. Born in Los Angeles to Mexican-American grandparents, Ochoa’s journey is one of brilliance and persistence. A physicist, engineer, and astronaut, she first launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993 and went on to complete four missions, logging nearly 1,000 hours in space.
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Beyond her missions, Ochoa broke barriers on Earth as well. She became the first Latina and second woman to serve as Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a role in which she championed innovation, diversity, and the next generation of explorers. Her work reminds us that representation at the highest levels matters: “You don’t have to choose between science and your heritage,” Ochoa once said. “Both can propel you forward.”
Dr. Antonia Novello’s legacy: health equity and public service
Another giant in STEM and public service is Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, who made history as the first Latina (and first woman) to serve as U.S. Surgeon General, appointed by President George H. W. Bush in 1990. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Novello’s work has focused on child health, AIDS prevention, and reducing health disparities.
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During her tenure, she launched the Healthy Children Ready to Learn Initiative, advocated for childhood immunizations, and tackled issues like youth smoking and alcohol abuse. She was also a leading voice against the tobacco industry’s marketing to children, calling out the use of cartoon characters like Joe Camel.
Her leadership paved the way for more Latinas in medicine and public health. Despite controversies later in her career, her pioneering role and advocacy for women, children, and minority health remain defining aspects of her legacy. Novello’s story underscores how representation in medicine isn’t just symbolic, it saves lives.
Frances Colón proves science and policy can drive real change
Rounding out our trio is Dr. Frances Colón, a Puerto Rican neuroscientist and science policy expert whose impact reaches across borders. As the Deputy Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State under President Obama, she worked to integrate science into foreign policy and advance women’s participation in global science initiatives.
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Today, Colón serves as Senior Director for International Climate Policy at the Center for American Progress, where she continues to bridge the worlds of science, governance, and social impact. Her career shows that STEM isn’t confined to laboratories, it’s a powerful tool for shaping the future of our planet. Colón has said that one of her goals is to “make science accessible and inclusive,” especially for underrepresented communities.
Representation Matters and We’re Just Getting Started
We chose to highlight these three incredible women but there are countless others whose stories deserve to be told. From tech innovators to environmental scientists, Latinas are at the forefront of discovery, problem-solving, and leadership.
Still, the path forward requires dismantling structural inequities, expanding access to education, and creating mentorship pipelines that help the next generation thrive. That means investing in STEM programs for girls, supporting bilingual education, and addressing economic and cultural barriers that hold women back.
Because when Latinas rise in STEM, we all rise. Their contributions remind us that science isn’t just about progress, it’s about inclusion, imagination, and the power of possibility.
Without representation, there is no inspiration. And these Latinas are making sure the next generation of women in STEM have both.
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