Today is International Women's Day. There is a saying, "behind every successful man there stands a woman". And there are lots of dedicated women behind "Webb" (James Webb Space Telescope). They are all brilliant female scientists or engineers.

Webb has four sophisticated scientific instruments. The research teams of the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) are led by women principal investigators. Professor Gillian Wright, Director of the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, is one of them.

Professor Wright said that when she was studying and beginning her career in the 1970s and 1980s, one of the challenges she encountered was the community's skepticism about women's achievements in the realm of science. At that time female pursuing a career in physics were uncommon and so she had to be more determined than others. She (Professor Wright) also noted that despite some are having biases against women as scientists and leaders, there are always people who are willing to collaborate and value diversity. And for a scientist, embracing different perspectives and views is one of the keys to success.

Women who play important roles in the research and development of Webb are interviewed, to compliment them on their tremendous contributions to the project and encourage women to pursue a career in science and astronomy.

For more about their stories and encouragements, please see:
https://www.esa.int/.../Women_making_the_Webb_Space...;
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/.../meetTheTeam/people/index.html