For years, minorities have been underrepresented or unheard in the field of STEM. Although the world is becoming much better at making all voices heard in fields of STEM; there is still plenty of work to be done. In the STEM fields of climate, ocean and marine science, representation becomes even slimmer. In a niche so small and specific to STEM, it becomes even more vital that LGBTQIA+ members, women and ethnic minorities are recognized in order to create a more inclusive oceanographic community.
LGBTQIA+ Ocean and Marine Scientists:
Ruth Gates (1962-2018)- Coral Marine Biologist
Dr. Ruth Gates was the director of the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology- an honor within itself. Additionally, she went on to become the first woman to be the President of the International Society of Reef Studies. Ruth was a lesbian, and was married to her wife, Robin Burton-Gates. Gates spent her life and research understanding specifically coral ecosystems- and how coral will adapt and change with the changing climate of Earth. Although Gates was tragically lost at the age of 56, her life’s work and efforts will undoubtedly be honored and remembered. Her discoveries and research about the way coral reefs interact with the rest of the ocean and their environment help researchers and scientists today continue her work, as well as inspire a new generation of marine scientists.
Nova West- Marine Filmmaker
Nova West is a transgender ocean expedition documentarian and video engineer. Creating beautiful and attention-catching underwater films and documentaries, West has been able to collaborate with National Geographic, Smithsonian and even Netflix. West has traveled the world doing tons of different research; from searching for Amelia Earhart’s plane off the island of Nikumaroro to helping change the negative stigma around sharks in the Bahamas by capturing their beauty with cinematography. Nova West is a part of NOAA’s Pride in the Ocean series, and continues to inspire transgender and non-binary adolescents to discover themselves in the ocean.
World Changing Women in Ocean and Marine Science:
Sylvia Earle- Marine Biologist and Oceanographer
The queen of ocean science herself, Dr. Sylvia Earle is nicknamed “Her Deepness” by the ocean science community. Having logged over 7,000 hours of diving, Sylvia Earle is arguably one of the most involved and famous marine biologists of all time. Being that most of her “prime time” for diving and exploring was in the 1950s and 60s, Earle shattered glass ceilings and sexism by proving her skill and drive in her field by becoming a much more renowned diver and scientist than most of the men of her time. Sylvia Earle has received over 100 national and international honors for her research, and at the age of 87 years old Earle hasn’t stopped advocating for marine research and discovery. In 2008, Earle founded Mission Blue. Mission Blue has since become one of the most respected and active ocean charities in the world. Without a doubt, Sylvia Earle is one of the most amazing people in the field of marine biology and her legacy will continue to inspire young women in STEM for years to come.
Cindy Lee Van Dover- Deep-sea Biologist
Cindy Lee Van Dover began her work in the field of marine biology in 1982, with a specific interest in the deep sea and exploration. She joined numerous expeditions and published work on diverse topics such as vent invertebrates, food webs and new species. In 1989, Van Dover joined a group that operates a deep-diving submersible called ALVIN. To this day, Van Dover has been the only woman to eventually become a pilot in command of a deep-sea submersible. Van Dover led and completed 48 deep sea dives- an incredible and inspiring number that took lots of work to achieve. Her work with ALVIN has taken her all over the world and led her to discover many new deep sea vents in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Van Dover continues to inspire future scientists by writing and publishing articles and books on her experiences.
Inspiring Ethnic Minorities in Ocean and Marine Science:
Ernest Evertt Just (1883-1941)- Marine Biologist
Ernest Evertt Just had a huge weight on his shoulders when he started his research in 1909- he became the first black marine biologist…ever. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Just began his pivotal research on marine invertebrates. Not only was Just the first black marine scientist, he was also one of the first black men to receive a doctoral degree from a major U.S. university. During his early research, Just studied the eggs of sand dollars and sea urchins; he was able to disprove earlier claims that fertilization could occur without the presence of sperm. Just went on to publish 70 research papers on egg development and fertilization; paving the road and setting the tone for future black marine and ocean scientists. His discoveries were huge for the time, helping push discovery to the next level for ocean research in the early 1900s.
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