Women and Girls in Science Day is a moment to spotlight the women whose determination and ingenuity have shaped our world, often without the recognition they deserved at the time. One such figure is Judith Love Cohen, an aerospace engineer whose work helped save the Apollo 13 mission and whose legacy continues to inspire girls to see science as a place where they belong.
So here are five Reasons Judith Love Cohen Is a STEM Hero, and you’ll be shocked by number 3!
1. She entered engineering when women were rarely welcome
Judith Love Cohen studied electrical engineering at the University of Southern California in the 1950s, when less than one per cent of engineers were women. She was frequently the only woman in her classes, yet she graduated with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, determined to build a career in science.
2. Her work helped save Apollo 13
Judith worked on the Abort Guidance System (AGS) for NASA’s Apollo Lunar Module, a backup navigation system. When Apollo 13 suffered a catastrophic failure in 1970, it was this system that astronauts relied on to guide them safely back to Earth. Her engineering quite literally helped save lives.
3. She balanced motherhood and rocket science
One of the most famous stories about Cohen is that she went into labour carrying her engineering notes — and kept working on a technical problem until she was in the delivery room! That baby grew up to be actor Jack Black, but the story itself highlights the realities many women face when balancing careers in STEM with family life.
4. She encouraged girls to dream bigger
After retiring from engineering, Cohen co-founded a children’s publishing company and wrote books aimed at encouraging girls to explore careers in science and engineering, including the You Can Be a Woman… series. Her mission was clear: representation matters, especially at a young age.
5. Her legacy still inspires today
Judith Love Cohen’s story reminds us that science advances not only through equations and experiments, but through persistence, courage and belief in one’s abilities. On Women and Girls in Science Day, her life stands as a powerful reminder that girls belong in labs, control rooms — and even space missions.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
WISE. This UK charity works to increase the participation, success and progression of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and maths. Learn more here.
Society of Women Engineers. This US-based organisation supports women and girls pursuing careers in engineering and STEM. Discover their work here.
UN Women. UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Gender Equality, Quality Education.