Marianne W. Mureithi
BIO
Head of department and professor in medical microbiology (Kenya). Mom-of-three.
Twitter: @Docmureithi
marianne w. mureithi
“It’s important to be surrounded with people who understand and can relate to your experiences.”
As a female African scientist in Kenya and a mother of three, my journey has been a unique and challenging one. But through perseverance and determination, I have been able to overcome many obstacles, including life-threatening birth complications, and achieve success in my field.
When I first entered the world of science in Kenya, I faced many barriers as a woman and a mother. It was difficult to find child care while I was working long hours in the lab, and it was even harder to find other female scientists who understood the challenges I was facing.
The lack of representation of women in science and the gender gap in the field made it harder for me to find mentors and role models. But I refused to let these obstacles stop me.
My journey as a mother and a scientist took a difficult turn when I experienced life-threatening complications during the birth of my last born. I was in the hospital for several weeks and it took a long time for me to recover. The experience was traumatic and I was left with chronic health issues that continue to affect me to this day.
Despite the challenges, I was determined to continue and succeed in my career in science. I began to seek out other female scientists who were also navigating similar challenges. Through networking and attending conferences, I was able to connect with other women in science who are also mothers. We formed a support group where we could discuss our struggles, share advice and resources, and lift each other up.
This community of women provided me with much-needed support and encouragement as I navigated the challenges of being a new mother and a scientist. Through this community, I was able to find flexible work arrangements that allowed me to balance my career and my family.
I found mentors and role models who helped me to navigate the unique challenges of being a mother and a female African scientist. I also worked with my employer to advocate for more family-friendly policies and increase representation of women in the field.
Together, we were able to provide flexible work arrangements for working parents and create opportunities for more women to enter the field. Despite the challenges, I have been able to make significant contributions to my field and have been recognized for my work with several awards and publications.
I am proud to be a role model for other young women and mothers in science and hope that my journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams despite any obstacles they may face.
Being a female African scientist and a mother in Kenya is not easy, especially when dealing with life-threatening birth complications, but through hard work and determination, it is possible to achieve success in the field.
I am grateful for the support of my community of female scientists and mothers and I am excited to see what the future holds for women in science in Kenya. I want to be an inspiration for other women who are going through similar challenges and show that it is possible to overcome them.