The Exceptions

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From the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who broke the story comes the inspiring account of sixteen female scientists who compelled MIT to acknowledge its long-standing discrimination against female faculty, igniting a nationwide reckoning with sexism in science. In 1999, MIT's admission of discrimination prompted institutions across the country to confront the urgent need for more women in top scientific roles. This untold story highlights how these accomplished women united to instigate this historic acknowledgment. Central to the narrative is Nancy Hopkins, a reluctant feminist who emerged as a leader and a symbol for generations of women in science. Initially hired during the early affirmative action era of the 1970s, Dr. Hopkins and her colleagues believed discrimination was a relic of the past, viewing science as a meritocracy. However, after years of underpayment and denial of equal opportunities, they recognized a troubling pattern: women were often marginalized, particularly as they aged, while men with similar or lesser qualifications thrived. This powerful narrative resonates with all professional women facing “21st-century discrimination”—a subtle yet damaging bias. Similar to bestsellers like Hidden Figures and Lab Girl, this account offers a rare insight into high-level scientific research and celebrates the extraordinary female scientists whose contributions have been historically overlooked, highlighting thei