10 women who made discoveries that helped shape the world as we know it today

17 May 2019

Women who made discoveries in the 19th century

Katherine Johnson. Credit: Getty Images

We can’t imagine what life would be like today if it weren’t for these women who made world-changing discoveries. We’re looking at women who were instrumental in breaking ground, either by discovery or invention, in the fields of medicine, technology, mathematics, physics, and more.

Sign up for W24's newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.

More about science| technology| women empowerment

The person responsible for the first photo of the black hole is a woman and her name is Katie Bouman
History is made: NASA has its first ever all-woman crew carrying out a spacewalk
Meet 5 of South Africa's successful black women in science - and they're under 35
It's been over 50 years since a woman first went into space - now NASA plans on sending the first woman to the moon by 2024

Most Read Stories

‘I was raped by my ex and didn’t realise it until 3 years later’ – this woman tells us how she is coping with the ordeal

Woman has been having sex with her manager to get her husband a promotion

Skeem saam 21 - 25 October

Nicki Minaj gets married - plus, other odd celebrity marriages

This is the estimated net worth of each Kardashian/Jenner woman - combined it's more than R23 billion

What To Watch

A Seat at the Table WATCH: The last episode of A Seat at the Table discusses hair In the last episode of W24’s A Seat at the Table series, three profound women discuss what their hair means to them. Here’s what they had to say:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: What a 21st century career looks like through the eyes of three different women Carving a career in this day and age calls for creativity. Here’s how three women from different generations look at their careers:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: How women empowerment translates across three generations of women Throughout W24’s series A Seat at the Table, phenomenal women from all ages have shared their thoughts, opinions and wisdoms. This week’s panellists celebrated the essence of these collective discussions through women empowerment. Here’s what they had to say:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Three generations of women share their take on social media This week on A Seat at the Table, three generations of women raise a glass to "#sheisequal" as they discuss the influence of social media on their lives. Hear their thoughts in the episode below:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Tackling traditions through the eyes of three generations on A Seat At The Table The sixth episode of this series explored traditions and the panellists included Kamogelo Madum, Sam Moolla, and Leah Sefor. Here’s what they had to say:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Shining a light on self-care with three generations of women on A Seat At The Table The fifth episode of this series explored self-care and the panellists included Vanessa Mqoco, Afrika Jadezweni, and Kim Petersen.Here’s what they had to say:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Weighing out body positivity across the generation gap at A Seat At The Table The fourth episode of W24's video series, A Seat At the Table, explored the topic of body positivity. Here’s how women from different generations learned to love their bodies:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Intergenerational style and trends earn A Seat At The Table The new W24 video series, A Seat At the Table, is a ten-part series that invites three different women from three different generations to share their opinions. Here’s what they had to say:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Unpacking love and relationships with three generations of women on A Seat At The Table The new W24 video series, A Seat At the Table, is a ten-part series that invites three different women from three different generations to share their opinions about various topics. Here’s what they had to say:

A Seat at the Table WATCH: Money gets stacked at A Seat At The Table with three generations of women The new W24 video series, A Seat At the Table, is a ten-part series that invites three different women from three different generations to share their opinions about various topics.Here's what they have to say about money:

HOROSCOPES

More Signs

Vote

Which local fashion week are you looking forward to keeping up with? Why?

Men
Women
Search

iainbrom

I am looking for someone I can laugh with, love completely, have adventures with, travel with, be naughty with, that I can trust above everything else. grow old with.

Confirm profile

lizzy1985

I am a out going person. Love the outdoor and to have fun with friemd and family. i do not play games as i am in a place in my live where there is not time to play games.

Confirm profile

Find your perfect match now!

I am a:
Looking for:
Age:	to

YOU'RE READING 10 women who made discoveries that helped shape the world as we know it today

10 trailblazing women in journalism who risked life and limb to expose the truth

10 women who made discoveries that helped shape the world as we know it today

iainbrom

lizzy1985