Abstract
Women have always played an important role in the development of toxicology all over the world. Specifically in Brazil, toxicology has had greater female representation than other countries, but women's participation at high hierarchical levels is low. Although more than 62% of the members of the Brazilian Society of Toxicology are women, only 7 out of the 22 presidents have been women throughout its 48 years of existence. This article aims to celebrate women in the field of toxicology in Brazil, based on interviews with five of these scientists who have changed the field of toxicology in Brazil as we know it today, each in their specific sub-areas. These women are: Dr. Ester de Camargo Fonseca Moraes, Dr. Silvia Berlanga de Moraes Barros, Dr. Alice Aparecida da Matta Chasin, Dr. Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro, and Dr. Tania Marcourakis. They are not only pioneers but they are also examples of admirable persistence in fighting the adversities presented to them. They broke the glass ceiling and opened doors for future generations of women in science. We hope that this article helps inspire women in their careers in toxicology.
Highlights
Women have always played an imperative role in the development of the field of toxicology worldwide
In Brazil, general toxicology is known since the times of the native people
Despite the high female representation in Brazilian toxicology, one can notice the decline in number and participation of women at higher hierarchical levels (4), as seen in many other workplaces
Summary
Women have always played an imperative role in the development of the field of toxicology worldwide. As a research and teaching area, it arises in 1966 when Dr Ester de Camargo Fonseca Moraes implemented Toxicology as an autonomous field in the Pharmacy School at the University of São Paulo. Despite the high female representation in Brazilian toxicology, one can notice the decline in number and participation of women at higher hierarchical levels (4), as seen in many other workplaces. To this day, due to the still prevailing belief that women and science are somehow incompatible, women still face the glass ceiling preventing them from reaching higher hierarchical positions. This article, based on a collection of interviews, celebrates the pioneering women in toxicology in Brazil who broke the glass ceiling and played an important role, opening doors for the future generations of women in science
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Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
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