Vera Rubin Observatory Scrubs Mentions Of Women In Science — What’s Going On?

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has revised its online biography of astronomer Vera Rubin, removing and altering references to her advocacy for women in science. The changes come as federally funded projects face new restrictions following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Earlier this month, NASA was directed to eliminate website content specifically highlighting women in leadership and underrepresented groups. Now, the Chile-based Rubin Observatory, funded by the National Science Foundation, has followed suit. According to ProPublica, the observatory’s biography of Rubin was edited to downplay her efforts to increase the participation of women in scientific careers.

The Legacy Of Vera Rubin – Championing Women In Science

Vera Rubin’s pioneering work in astronomy was instrumental in proving the existence of dark matter. It reshaped scientific understanding of the universe in the 1970s. Over her career, Rubin published more than 100 scientific papers focusing on spiral galaxies and galaxy rotation. Despite facing gender-based obstacles, she became a prominent advocate for women in science, working to open doors for future generations.

Various tributes commemorate her impact. From a ridge on Mars, an asteroid, a satellite, a galaxy, to the Rubin Observatory itself, all bear her name. Notably, Trump’s administration approved the observatory as the first national facility named after a woman during his first term.

Edits Remove Advocacy References And Diversity Goals

Before the recent revisions, the observatory’s website included a section titled “She advocated for women in science,. It highlighted Rubin’s work to break down gender barriers. That section was initially removed and later reinstated with significant changes.

The original text read:

“Science is still a male-dominated field, but Rubin Observatory is working to increase participation from women and other people who have historically been excluded from science. Rubin Observatory welcomes everyone who wants to contribute to science, and takes steps to lower or eliminate barriers that exclude those with less privilege.”

This paragraph was removed in late January. Another subtle but telling edit replaced:

“Vera herself offers an excellent example of what can happen when more minds participate in science,”
with:
“Vera Rubin offers an excellent example of what can happen when many minds participate in science.”

Broader Impact Of Federal DEI Restrictions

The edits at the Rubin Observatory are part of a wider compliance effort by federal agencies. NASA issued an internal memo in late January instructing employees to remove certain DEI-related terms from its public platforms. These included references to underrepresented groups, environmental justice, and accessibility.

Rubin’s Call For Equality Resonates Amid Changes

Throughout her career, Rubin used her platform to advocate for equality in science. Speaking to the 1996 graduating class at Berkeley, she urged future leaders to uphold diversity and fight injustice. “I hope that you will fight injustice and discrimination in all its guises. That you will value diversity among your friends, among your colleagues… among the student body population. That when you are in charge, you will do better than my generation has,” she told graduates.