This is a book by a woman about women whose names are unfairly underrecognized solely because of their gender. Yet their scientific discoveries and research in medicine, biochemistry, biology, physiology, and archaeology have transformed life on the planet for the better, enabled us to conquer deadly diseases, and expanded our knowledge of the world. Each heroine followed a unique path, and each faced social rejection. They were overlooked and ignored, their achievements attributed to men; when that failed, their status as wives and mothers was emphasized, and their professional achievements were presented as a bonus. But they continued to work despite everything and emerged victorious from this struggle.