In the midst of a global pandemic and facing the challenges of potentially catastrophic climate change, we need to cast the net wide to harness all the scientific talent available. Today STEM subjects (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) make significant effort to recruit more female students, but this hasn't always been the case. Excluded form universities, professional societies and professions dominated by men, women struggled for the right to make their contributions. In this week's episode we look at some of the strong Scottish women who overcame all the obstacles in their path to achieve success in their chosen discipline of science, leaving a legacy for the benefit of all.