Women have served a central role in shaping chemistry and the material sciences throughout history.

In our Women in Chemistry talk, we will profile lesser-known women chemists from antiquity to the present, and share stories of innovation, resistance, and change. You’ll learn about the legendary founding women of alchemy, explore the connections between domesticity and distillation, see how wartime changed the laboratory, and meet pioneering chemists and chemistry educators.


This online event is free and no reservations are necessary.

More events

WHYY Good Neighbor Club Launch Party
May 31, 2026
Free

WHYY Good Neighbor Club Launch Party

Celebrate community, connection, and the power of local impact!

View inside the Jacobs Reading Room
June 3, 2026
Free

Othmer Library Tour

Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!

overhead view of museum displays
June 4, 2026
Museum Programs & Activities

From Our Forefathers: Climate Crisis in Chemistry History

We’ve teamed up with artist Aislinn Pentecost-Farren and ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 festival to look at our museum through a new lens.

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.