Vira Brusko, Grade 11

Dr. Isabella Abbott was an extraordinary botanist and ethnobotanist who made significant contributions to the study of marine algae, particularly in the Pacific. Born in 1919 in Hawaii, she faced numerous challenges as a woman of Native Hawaiian and Chinese descent pursuing a career in science during a time of racial and gender discrimination. Despite these obstacles, Abbott became the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a Ph.D. in science. Her research focused on marine algae, leading to the discovery of over 200 species, some of which were crucial to Hawaiian culture and cuisine. Abbott's work also contributed to understanding the ecological importance of algae in marine ecosystems. What makes Abbott an Unsung Hero is her groundbreaking work often overlooked in mainstream scientific narratives. Her resilience, determination, and passion for her field, despite facing adversity, is inspiring. Abbott's dedication to science, culture, and education paved the way for future generations, especially women and underrepresented minorities, in the field of botany. Abbott's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion for one's work, despite facing societal barriers. Her legacy continues to inspire budding scientists and serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in scientific research.

Read full paper here.

Emi Runge, Grade 10

Jerrie Cobb, an unsung heroine, remains an inspiration to many. Despite facing numerous obstacles, she continued to persist and fought against the prevalent injustices that afflicted women during her time. As one of twelve women who underwent the same rigorous training as the male Mercury 13 astronauts, and were just as successful, (or more), Jerrie Cobb proved that women were just as capable as men in space exploration, and continued to recommend many female friends of hers to the program. Even after, she continued to advocate for women's inclusion in the space program, highlighting their capabilities before Congress in 1962, highlighting an investigation into the role of women in space. Her strength, determination, and belief in equality in a male-dominated profession remain an inspiration to this day, paving the way for women behind her.

Read full paper here.

Harper Gilroy, Grade 10

The Unsung Hero I chose is Caroline Ferriday, I chose her because of her heroic actions. After she had learned about the horrible events happening at the Ravensbrück concentration camps, she knew that she had to take steps in order to give the women help that they deserved. At these camps the women were forced by Nazi’s into inhumane conditions; these women were then known as lapins (rabbits) and they were treated as lab animals. Caroline Ferriday was appalled by the conditions so she brought the women to the public light and gave 35 women a chance to travel to the United States receiving surgeries and treatments, and living with host families. Her story inspires me so much because, despite living in a completely different nation, she ensured that the women got the support that they deserved, by reaching out to an American Journalist from the Saturday post, to express the catastrophic events happening in the Ravensbrück.  

Read full paper here.

Ella Cameron, Grade 10

Sylvia Earle is an accomplished oceanographer and marine biologist, gaining numerous achievements and “firsts” throughout her career, making her such a fascinating and interesting unsung hero. Earle’s success as a woman in STEM is awe-inspiring to so many young girls, including myself, but despite her numerous accolades Earle is relatively unknown. For reference, just a few of her accomplishments include the world record for the deepest untethered dive (1,250 feet below the surface of the Pacific), discovering a new red alga which she named the “Hummbrella hydra”, leading the first all-female team of women aquanauts as part of the Tektite II experiment, collaborating on the design of the “Deep Rover,”and becoming the first female chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA. She has been mentioned in a number of publications, including Time Magazine where she was the first “Hero of the Planet,” In New York Times she was called “Her Deepness” and she was called a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. This is but a portion of all of Earle’s accomplishments. Her 100+ expeditions, 7,000+ hours underwater, 200+ publications authored, and 90 countries lectured in is a testament to that. Throughout all of this, Earle has been an avid advocate for protecting the biodiversity of oceans, reducing pollution, and increased oceanic exploration and research. Her hard work and determination is uplifting, and her story needs to be heard by more audiences. She truly is such a remarkable woman, scientist, oceanographer, marine biologist, lecturer, author, and person. 

Read full paper here.

Emi Brenes, Grade 10

I chose Eugenie Clark because she believed that there was more to sharks than meets the eye and was brave enough to be around them. She also became an ichthyologist even though it was considered unorthodox for a woman to be more than a secretary during her lifetime, which was in the mid-1900s. She was really inspired by a particular naturalist called “ Willam Beebe” and wanted to be like him. Her mother did not want her to be a scientist and said to her “Maybe you should be a secretary instead,” but she said no. She went to college and studied sharks and then became an ichthyologist. Eugenie showed us that sharks are not all bad and she discovered that some sharks can breathe even when they are not moving. I really love how she was brave enough to go against these odds to learn about her passion.

Read full paper here.

Ella Huckel-Bauer, Grade 10

My unsung hero is Colonial Gail Halvorsen. I chose this unsung hero because I was very captivated by his story. Halvorsen grew up in Utah and always wanted to fly. He got his pilot's license in 1941, then joined the United States Air Force in 1942. He was assigned to Germany in 1948. Halvorsen is best known as the Berlin Candy Bomber, in which he dropped candy with mini parachutes out of his plane in the Berlin Airlift. This was an effort to boost morale in Germany from 1948 through 1949. He would fly over towns and drop candy out of his plane to children in Germany. This is especially impressive since he was a US soldier, and he still did this for a foreign country. I find this story incredibly inspirational because he went above and beyond his duty. Halvorsen didn't have permission from his supervisors but decided to do this anyway because he wanted to make an impact on the kids in Berlin. This shows his amazing character and his kind heart. 

Read full paper here.

Taylor Saucier, Grade 10

Elizabeth “Tex” Williams is motivated, strong and inspirational for so many young girls. Ms. Williams smashed a standard in the United States for her time. Williams served in World War II as a photographer; she was the first African American female photographer to graduate from photography school and later was the first in the army to be an active member of the “Women's Army Corps”. Her story is so moving and really resonated with me. My Mom’s name is Elizabeth and she was a photographer in the army. She is my biggest inspiration and while she didn't make nearly as big of an impact as Ms Williams, she made an impact on me. Her life opened a gateway for other little girls to follow in her footsteps without running into trouble. and Ms. Williams is one of the reasons my mom had the ability to be a photographer in the army.

Read full paper here.