On the occasion of February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Embassy of Spain in Vienna has carried out a campaign in Spanish and English in digital communication channels with the purpose of promoting gender equality and recognizing the work of women scientists.
In this way, the life and work of six women scientists who have marked the history of science not only in Austria and Spain, but also internationally, has been commemorated through illustrations and references to their biographies, published in the X and Facebook profiles and in this news section of the Embassy's website.
Pioneering women in science
The initiative highlights the trajectory of six women who have left an indelible mark in their respective fields:
Ángela Ruiz Robles
(Villamanín, 1895 - Ferrol, 1975) - Inventor of the “Enciclopedia Mecánica”,precursor of the electronic book.
A pioneer in educational innovation, Ángela Ruiz Robles designed a device in the 1940s that anticipated the concept of the electronic book. Her invention, called “Enciclopedia Mecánica”, sought to facilitate access to education and reduce the weight of school books. In addition to her role as inventor, Ruiz Robles was a teacher, pedagogue and director of educational institutions. Although her invention was never commercialized, she received multiple awards, such as the Gold Medal at the National Inventors Exhibition in 1952. Her legacy was recognized with her inclusion in the Periodic Table of Women Scientists in 2018 and with a Google Doodle in 2021 on the occasion of her 121st birthday.
Herta Taussig Freitag
(Vienna, 1908 - Roanoke U.S.A., 2000) - Mathematician, expert on Fibonacci sequences
Austro-American mathematician renowned for her studies on Fibonacci sequences and their impact on applied mathematics. After fleeing Nazism, she developed an outstanding academic career in the United States, where she published numerous articles in specialized journals such as Fibonacci Quarterly. Her research in numerical sequences and her teaching work left a significant legacy in the teaching and application of mathematics. She was a key figure in international conferences and in the Mathematical Association of America, where she became the first woman to lead a section.
Sara García Alonso
(León, 1989) - PhD in molecular biology and astronaut.
Sara García Alonso, researcher in molecular biology and reserve astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA), combines her scientific work with space exploration. She graduated in Biotechnology in 2012, obtained a master's degree in Biomedical and Biological Research in 2013 and received her PhD in Molecular Biology in 2019 from the University of Salamanca. Since 2019 she has been working at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), where she researches new therapeutic strategies against lung cancer. In 2021 she was selected among 23,000 applicants as an ESA reserve astronaut, becoming the first Spanish woman to reach this achievement.
Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky
(Vienna, 1897 - 2000) - Architect and inventor of the Frankfurt Kitchen
Austrian architect and designer of the iconic Frankfurt Kitchen, a revolutionary model that optimized the functionality of domestic spaces. She was Austria's first woman architect, earning her university degree in 1919. Her design transformed the organization of modern kitchens, improving efficiency and ergonomics. During World War II, she joined the anti-fascist resistance, was arrested and condemned by the Nazis, but survived and continued her activism for social justice. Her legacy is still present in contemporary architecture.
Ana Ramos
(Malaga, 1950) - Biologist and marine researcher
Ana Ramos was born in Malaga and is a pioneer in the study of the benthos, the organisms that inhabit the seabed. In 1986, she participated in the first Spanish expedition to Antarctica and for more than 20 years led the Bentart project, dedicated to investigating Antarctic marine ecosystems, discovering more than 50 species new to science. She has also carried out expeditions to the African coast in areas such as the Gulf of Guinea, promoting studies on marine biodiversity in this geographical region and supporting the training of African scientists. Her work has been key to the conservation of these ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Ingeborg Auer
(Velden am Wörthersee, 1952) - Climatologist and creator of HISTALP.
Ingeborg Auer is an Austrian climatologist who worked at the Central Institution for Meteorology and Geodynamics (Vienna) , where she headed the Department of Climate Research until her retirement in 2016. She was the driving force behind HISTALP (Historical Instrumental Climatological Surface Time Series Of the Greater Alpine Region), a database compiling climate records for the Alps since 1800. Her work has been key to analyzing the impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems, showing that climate zones have ascended in altitude and transformed formerly snowy landscapes into grasslands and forests.
Through this campaign, the Embassy of Spain in Vienna celebrates and recognizes the exceptional work of these women scientists, whose contributions have made a significant difference in their fields of research and in the world.
We invite you to share and follow the contents of this campaign on the official profiles of the Embassy of Spain in Austria on X and Facebook. Celebrate with us the International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
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