Most elite research universities did not admit women until the late 1960s, meaning the first generation of female scientists and engineers are just reaching retirement age.

Among the first was MIT's Nancy Hopkins who not only made major contributions to molecular biology but advanced a massive equity initiative for other women in science.

Today, women compose 20 percent of MIT's tenured faculty.

Learn more about Nancy Hopkins at MIT's Technology Review.

— Sponsored by the Chancellor's Commission on Women