Women in Science

Words by Olivia Loh

I don’t think my experience is radically different from most women in most work places. As a midwest WOC in the sciences the experience can feel heightened, especially when maneuvering the birth of an industry that’s been (hypocritically) capitalized on by my opposite.But it’s in no way isolated.

It’s getting overlooked and undervalued. It’s your proposal getting passed over, and then enthusiastically jumped on when the other guy says the same exact thing. It’s your (accurate) predictions and concerns getting downplayed until its too little too late. It’s seeing 1+ 8 = 9 when the majority sees 4+5 or maybe 6+3, so you must be wrong. It’s getting your own ideas explained back to you days, months, sometimes even years later... as if you somehow forgot what YOU told THEM. It's learning how to come with alllllll the receipts. It’s watching plant medicine, permaculture, yoga etc etc get sold back to us as some kind of progressive “new” technology.

It’s learning how to take up space, unapologetically, because trust you are probably the only one in the room. Until more of us are inspired to PULL UP to these spaces, it’s a tidal wave of imposter syndrome with an undercurrent that can easily drown you. It's lonely, but it’s necessary.

It’s a form of protest without saying a word.

& so, it’s worth it. Because I need little black and brown girls to realize their role in the history of our species. I need them to remember the rhythm/language of our universe. I need them to understand the ancient tale their genes tell. But mostly, I need them to help remind the world that nature is less about “survival of the fittest” and competition, and always about collaboration.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." - Madame Curie

Olivia Loh (@oliverthegreat). #womeninscience #cannabis #wocinscience.