The Unsung Heroines of Science, Computers, and Juggling: A Flow Juggle Perspective
When we think of pioneers in the fields of science, computers, and juggling, certain names may come to mind. But how many of those names are female? Despite their significant contributions as early pioneers, females have often been neglected in terms of exposure and visibility. It’s time to shine a light on the unsung heroines of these fields.
At Flow Juggle, we’re all about celebrating the art of juggling and the incredible performers who have made it what it is today. And that includes the many talented female jugglers who have paved the way for the women juggling on stages around the world today. Take Gypsy Gruss, a multi-talented circus performer who performed high-quality tricks with rings, clubs, ball bouncing, and ball spinning. Or Veronica Martell, an Irish juggler who was popular in the 1950s and appeared in Cecil B. DeMille’s movie ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’. And let’s not forget Anita Martell, an English talking comedy juggler in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
But it’s not just in the field of juggling where women have made their mark. In the field of computer science, women have played a vital role in developing some of the most essential components of modern IT. For example, Ada Lovelace is credited with creating the first computer program. That’s right, the first person to write code was a woman! And let’s not forget Grace Hopper, who invented computing methods and devices such as the compiler. Without her, we might still be writing code in machine language.
And then there’s Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician who helped confirm the accuracy of electronic computers used by NASA and performed critical calculations that ensured safe space travel from the 1950s on. Yes, we put men on the moon, but it was women like Katherine Johnson giving directions.
Despite their incredible contributions to their respective fields, these women and many others like them have often been overlooked or undervalued. One reason for this may be societal biases that discourage girls from pursuing careers in fields such as computer science or juggling. For example, male parents may be more likely to buy a computer for their sons than for their daughters. If more girls were encouraged to explore these fields from a young age, we might see a more diverse and inclusive working environment in these industries.
In conclusion, females have been neglected in the fields of science, computers, and juggling despite their significant contributions as early pioneers. But as we’ve seen, their impact has been nothing short of remarkable. So here’s to all the unsung heroines of these fields - may their stories continue to inspire and amaze us.
At Flow Juggle, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of female jugglers and all those who have made significant contributions to their fields. We invite our community to think about how we can create a more inclusive environment in the circus and juggling world by valuing everyone equally. Because if we’re not doing that, we’re not being true to the spirit of circus.
