I had a long list of aspirations when I was younger. In addition to being a scientist, this list included being an astronaut, gymnast, historian, medical doctor, pilot, painter, military service member, and so on. I was told that I was a curious kid and was easily fascinated, whether it be something learned from a classroom or a story told by a family member. But no matter the aspiration of the month—or the year—I can thank one person especially for inspiring me to pursue my current profession: Adela Mallari, my grandmother.
Herdeline Ann “Digs” M. Ardoña Credit:
Courtesy of Herdeline Ann “Digs” M. Ardoña
My Lola Mommy was born in 1935 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, where she grew up until her teenage years. I recall her many stories of what it was like going to school after World War II. Everyone’s priority is to survive, so when the family’s focus is on having access to basic needs like food and clean water, schooling takes a back seat. Luckily, the public school in her town was not too far from their house, and she had aunts who were very supportive of her education. One of her favorite stories was that she was regarded as “Queen of Physics,” as stated in her high school yearbook. Her passion for going to school, and even excelling in math and sciences, was very unusual given the situation in many devastated towns in the Philippines at that time.
But for me it was never a shock. Growing up in her house, my earliest memory of her is that of her constantly reading books and magazines. I didn’t know it then, but I was witnessing the habits of a lifelong learner. What my grandmother made seem so normal—embracing a knack for the sciences and reading regularly—only became more meaningful to me when I learned that she was really the exception at the time. When she was younger, she was in an environment where she was discouraged from reading books because it was considered “unsuitable for girls.” Through the help of relatives and people from her hometown who believed in her talents, she went to Manila to complete her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at the University of Santo Tomas. She then had a career in an engineering department in the Quezon City local government. She lived her life looking out for others, always willing to help—especially if it was to send someone to school. My grandmother made education a priority, against commonly held views of the period.
I am fortunate to have had a father who empowered my sister and me to never be afraid of challenging norms, a loving mother who is a superhero nurse, and many extended family members who played an instrumental role in supporting my journey. While my village may have looked slightly different than my grandmother’s, it still took one to help me reach my dreams; No matter where you go, what you study, or how much technology changes, support will remain valuable in any education or career journey. My Lola Mommy is my earliest female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) role model. Her influence on my life is undeniably the biggest reason I am now a chemical engineering professor.
Today, over 30% of researchers globally are women. Perhaps this representation is something my Lola might not have been able to imagine. Who knows what type of careers young children will be aspiring to in the future, but I can only hope that others are inspired by stories like my Lola’s and, by extension, my own.
Views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of C&EN or the American Chemical Society.
