AMPLIFY: Sigird Phyllis Stearner - The Revolutionary Scientist

Science and activism go hand in hand. For S. Phyllis Stearner, combining these two is what she did best – working as a Radiation Researcher, advocating for people with disabilities’ rights, and increasing career opportunities in STEM.

 In the final AMPLIFY of 2020, we look at the life and accomplishments of this amazing woman.

­­Sigrid Phyllis Stearner was born in Chicago in 1919. She became interested in science, specifically biology, while attending Spaulding School for the Handicapped. Stearner, who had cerebral palsy, spent her childhood collecting and observing insects and other animals around her. Despite being homeschooled, Stearner’s interest in biology grew overtime, and she was determined to forge her own path in the male-dominated, able-bodied dominated field. She worked hard to achieve her doctorate despite having unencouraging teachers and struggling financially.  By 1946, Stearner received her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Zoology and began working at the prestigious Argonne National Laboratory. 

The Not Supportive Support Team around Stearner

 Being a woman in STEM is challenging enough, but dealing with osteoarthritis of the spine and the lack of support from financial aid and assistance groups like the Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, whose mission is to guide, train and ensure job placement was disheartening. Still, it didn’t stop Stearner. Determined to achieve her goals, she fought with the Illinois Division to fund her education. They tried to stop her financially by refusing to pay for her Ph.D., but Stearner continued with a partial scholarship from the Zoology Department and her family’s support.

 At Argonne National Laboratory, Dr. Stearner worked as a Radiation Researcher and was a pioneer in radiation biology. Her research expanded our understanding of how radiation affects vertebrates’ bodies and the structure and function of tissues in the heart. Her work provided fundamental insight into how two central variables – the number of radiation doses and the length of time exposed to it – affect our bodies. Notably, she is the reason we know different bodies react differently to varying doses of radiation.

 Note: Her work goes beyond the lab at Argonne. Her findings have helped save many individuals’ lives without them knowing about their incredible career.

Advocating for Career Inclusion as a Disability Advocate

  Stearner not only significantly shifted our understanding of radiation’s effects on the body, but she also authored over 90 scientific papers. Papers like, Pigmentation Studies in Salamanders, with Especial Reference to the Changes at Metamorphosis, which focuses on pattern changes. As a leader in radiation biology, Stearner spent her career advocating for inclusivity. She wanted to end the cycle of prejudice against people with disabilities in STEM and spent her time advocating for accommodations around Argonne to be made disability-friendly. She also mentored other disabled students, and in 1975, she co-founded the Foundation for Science and Disability, an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Project on the Handicapped in Science (now renamed to the Project on Science, Technology, and Disability). Both initiatives help reduce and eliminate barriers for disabled people with interest in STEM. Additionally, they create a directory for other scientists and engineers with disabilities and provide advice and mentorships to the scientific community. In 1985, she published “Able Scientists--Disabled Persons: Careers in the Sciences,” which includes her and twenty-seven disabled scientists' biographies, work, and their experience in STEM. To Stearner, representation mattered in science. For medical and scientific teaching spaces to expand, they must learn from Stearner and strive to be inclusive and supportive.

Stearner’s contribution to science and medicine wouldn’t have happened if she had listened to the teachers and instructors around her.

 Why We Amplify

 Dr. Sigird Phyllis Stearner was a revolutionary scientist in the field of radiation biology. Her contribution to science and medicine is felt around the world. Stearner changed our understanding of doses, exposure lengths and opened doors for scientists with disabilities. We amplify her not just for her contribution to science but also for her achievements even in adversity. Stearner, who had cerebral palsy, achieved international success despite multiple barriers. When we say barriers, we are not talking about her disability. We are talking about a non-inclusive society that wanted her to stay hidden, a society that wouldn’t give her access to textbooks. Furthermore, Stearner was met with teachers and instructors who discouraged her and blocked access to the necessary funds required to achieve her goals. Despite these challenges, Stearner made it her mission to work in science, change others’ lives, and change that society’s negative perception of those like herself. Although STEM has made significant shifts by opening spaces for marginalized individuals, people with disabilities are still fighting for representation in science. Stearner died in 1997, but her work, writings, projects, and mentorship impacted many current and future STEM workers with disabilities. We thank her for her contribution to science and her willingness to fight, include, and open doors for others like her, particularly disabled, female-identifying individuals.

More information about Revolutionary Scientist S. Phyllis Stearner and Other Amplifying Information

●      Articles to Read: Achievement in Biology: An Introduction to Handicapped Biologist. This article includes biologists with disabilities, like Stearner, who’ve contributed to biology and helped create opportunities for other biologists with disabilities.

●      A Book on Scientist and Activist, Phyllis Stearner (An American Women in Science Biography)

●      Want More Insight on Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities? Check out their plan, workshops, and how they engage other scientists in the community.

●      Chicago Tribune’s Memorium to Dr. Stearner

●      The Next Gen: Check out this MeetTheCreator interview with  Astrophysicist and Accessibility Coordinator Jesse Shanahan, a scientist, disability activist, and creator of the hashtag #disabledandSTEM

●      A short thread by @WeAreDisabled on 5 Disabled Women Scientist (S. Phyllis Stearner is included in the thread)

●      Check out NIH’s video on Women Scientists with Disabilities.

Note: I wish we knew more about S. Phyllis Stearner, but like most marginalized people in science, it’s difficult to find any information about her. Grateful to We Are Disabled and Chronically Invisible for their post on Stearner.

Joycelyn lives in Cypress, Texas. She’s the daughter of immigrants and did not go to Law School, but received three degrees (BA, MA, MPH) and is happily freelancing and working in the nonprofit world. She enjoys writing about healthcare recruitment and even worked as a Healthcare Organizer. When she’s not writing, she’s transcribing, developing community toolkits, and researching womxn’s history. Which is why she’s excited about writing for AMPLIFY. On her off days, she spends her time on Twitter reminding everyone to drink water and enabling others to watch more dramas. Follow her on Twitter: @jg_humanitarian