Persevere, Survive, & Thrive

Hard-won Wisdom from Women in Science

SOWIF Stories of Women in Fluids

• Publisher: She Writes Press
• Year: 2025
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• eBook ISBN:
  9781647429935
• Subtopic: Science & Technology Biographies
• Index: Biological Sciences

For aspiring scientists and science leaders alike, a powerful collection of stories from a diverse group of authors that details the ups and downs experienced by women in STEM—and offers insight into how to make the field more inclusive for all.

Imagine walking into a lab or a lecture hall and realizing you’re the only woman there. For most women in the sciences, this is not a difficult thing to envision; rather, it’s a familiar reality. Here, fifteen writers representing a wide range of women in STEM, from early-career researchers to accomplished leaders, offer authentic, personal reflections on the obstacles they’ve faced in this traditionally male-dominated field.

These powerful narratives address critical themes—imposter syndrome, balancing personal responsibilities with professional ambitions, and navigating systemic biases such as sexism and racism—and span continents and cultures, illustrating the diversity of experiences while highlighting shared threads of resilience, courage, and the power of mentorship. Through these stories, readers—not just women in STEM but all those committed to building more inclusive and equitable workplaces—will gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of women in science and the role we can all play in creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Deeply personal yet universally relatable, Persevere, Survive & Thrive is a celebration of courage and persistence—and the power of sharing stories to inspire change.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• Navigating the Choppy Waters of Being a Diversity Hire
• Breaking Barriers
• From Unexpected Bill to Funded Grant: An Iterative Learning Process
• Failure Is the Only Option
• Straddling Two Worlds: The Duality of a First-Gen Immigrant Academic
• Better Scientists
• So, You Think You Got Your Dream Job: Now What?
• Piecing Together Connection
• Imaginary Future Husband
• Not Quitting MIT (in 2018)
• Finding the Unimagined Path
• Fishes in Fluids: The Secret to Shark Swimming
• PhD(ance)
• “You Are Enough!”
• The Improv PhD: Embracing Uncertainty in Academia
• Epilogue
• Acknowledgments
• About the Authors