Pride Month – Role Models

In celebration of Pride Month the EDI department have created a series of posters showcasing inspirational LGBTQ+ scientists, with a brief explanation of their accomplishments on each poster. These posters will be displayed in the School of Physics and Astronomy throughout Pride Month and will serve as inspiration for aspiring physicist’s who can look up to these extradentary role models.

One of the role models chosen is astronaut Sally Ride. Sally Ride was the youngest ever astronaut at 32, and was the first American woman in space. Going on to spend a total of 343 hours in space, Ride was often the subject of deeply ignorant media attention (receiving questions such as “Will the flight affect your reproductive organs?”) and it is therefore no surprise that she was also extremely private about her personal life. It was only in her obituary that it was revealed that her partner of 27 years was Tam O’Shaughnessy, a former female tennis player and science writer. She serves as a exemplary role model for students of part of the LGBTQ+ community and for young women in STEM.

Another role model in the series is Alan L. Hart who was a transgender Physician, Radiologist and Novelist. After graduating from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1917, Alan L. Hart studied for an MA in Radiology from the University of Pennsylvania. He was the first person to propose the use of x-rays to detect the early signs of tuberculosis. Hart set up screening clinics in Idaho and other rural areas, preventing the spread of disease and improving recovery rates in infected people. Hart was also a successful novelist, writing about queer characters in medicine. He was quoted with saying; “I am happier since I made this change than I ever have in my life, and I will continue this way as long as I live.”

The Pride role model posters are displayed below.