QuoteProject
Nobody . . . took me seriously. They wondered why in the world I wanted to be a chemist when no women were doing that. The world was not waiting for me.
Gertrude B. Elion
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields and emphasizes the courage to pursue one's passion despite societal skepticism.

Gertrude B. Elion's quote reflects her experience as a woman in a predominantly male field of chemistry. It underscores the lack of recognition and support she faced, as well as the broader societal barriers that discouraged women's participation in science. Despite this, her determination to follow her own path illustrates the importance of perseverance and self-belief in the face of adversity. Elion's journey serves as an inspiration for individuals striving to break through gender norms and pursue their passions, regardless of societal expectations.

Themes

ChemistryWomen In SciencePerseveranceGender BarriersInspiration

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about women in science, one might quote Elion to inspire young girls to follow their dreams.

More from Gertrude B. Elion

Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In my day I was told women didn't go into chemistry. I saw no reason why we couldn't.
Gertrude B. ElionRead
The Nobel Prize is fine, but the drugs I've developed are rewards in themselves.
Gertrude B. ElionRead
I had fallen in love with a young man... and we were planning to get married. And then he died of subacute bacterial endocarditis... Two years later with the advent of penicillin, he would have been saved. It reinforced in my mind the importance of scientific discovery...
Gertrude B. ElionRead

Similar quotes

Besides we are men, and after all it is our business to risk our lives.
Alexandre DumasRead
My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate.
Edward SnowdenRead
I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.
Catherine The GreatRead
The test of a people is what they can do when they're tired.
Winston ChurchillRead
As Americans, we can take enormous pride in the fact that courage has been inspired by our own struggle for freedom, by the tradition of democratic law secured by our forefathers and enshrined in our Constitution. It is a tradition that says all men are created equal under the law and that no one is above it.
Barack ObamaRead
There's a burden of responsibility for me to show up correct - in my head, if I don't do it right, then I'll get shut out, and then other trans women of color will be shut out.
Janet MockRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.