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Science is a system that uses unbiased, empirical evidence to make awe-inspiring discoveries, but the ways in which we attribute and chronicle those discoveries are far from impartial. From textbooks and history books to scientific journals, the contributions, or attributed contributions, of white males have long been privileged. Others, particularly the contributions of Black scientists, and Black female scientists, have been purposely distorted or left out.

In recent years, authors, professors, journalists, and others have worked to uncover and highlight those buried legacies, but they’ve really only scratched the surface. From Alice Ball, who invented the 20th century's best treatment for leprosy at just 23, to Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Chemistry in the United States, there are still scientists about whom books are scarce, out of print, or nonexistent. Nonetheless, the books below are a starting point for delving into the scientific legacy of Black women around the world and for inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps.

A theoretical cosmologist with a PhD in Physics, Prescod-Weinstein is both a professor of physics and astronomy and a faculty member in women's and gender studies. The Disordered Cosmos is a brilliant mashup of her specialties, transitioning seamlessly from a study of the science behind quarks, spacetime, and dark matter into a discussion of racism, sexism, and the emotional labor that Black academics are too often expected to perform. Her love for science is obvious. The physics chapters are fascinating, if potentially a bit dense for readers without a scientific background, but the sociology chapters are impassioned and important, even for a lay reader.

Black girls deserve to see themselves represented in every field and to learn about the important contributions that Black women have made to scientific knowledge in every discipline. Ensuring that Black girls have role models in the scientific community is also crucial for raising the next generation of diverse scientists. Designed to inspire upper elementary school-aged children, Black Women in Science features short biographies celebrating 15 incredible scientists who deserve to be more widely known.

When DiAnn Jordon realized that knowledge about Black female scientists was scarce and accounts of their work lacking, she set out to rectify the situation. The result was Sisters in Science, an oral history that shines a light on underrepresented scientists and enriches the academic historical record by telling the story of 18 Black scientists in their own words.

From doctors to computer scientists to inventors, scientific history is full of trailblazing Black women. Bolden's broad selection of profiles, highlighting women from the 1800s to the present who overcame incredible challenges to become experts in their fields, will help the next generation of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers find their passion.

An activist and the founder of the Green Belt Movement, Wangari Maathai was an environmental and political powerhouse. Linking efforts to combat deforestation to anti-poverty activism, Maathai's movement planted more than 30 million trees across Africa while pulling rural women out of poverty by paying them to plant the trees. Her memoir follows her from her childhood in a rural village and her early education, through her PhD from the University of Nairobi and her acceptance of the 2004 Noble Peace Prize.

Inspire the next generation of environmental warriors with Gwendolyn Hooks's beautiful forthcoming picture book celebrating the legacy of Wangari Maathai. Vividly illustrated and moving, Planting Peace is a wonderful introduction for children to environmentalism, women's rights, and the intersection between environmental, social, and political activism.

This list wouldn't be complete without Hidden Figures, the true story of the Black female mathematicians whose accomplishments enabled the success of the US space program. If you've only seen the movie, take this opportunity to dig into the book. It's a bestseller and award winner for a reason. As incredible as the feature film is, the book includes details, history, and nuance that the movie lacks.

Cline-Ransome takes the story of Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician and one of the protagonists of Hidden Figures, and transforms it into a beautiful and inspiring biography for the picture book set. Born during the Jim Crow era, Johnson battled through racism and misogyny to become a hero of the space program. Her story will encourage young readers to reach for the stars.