Female Disruptors

"For the parents whose children had cancer, I couldn't imagine their grief, their fears. I feared for my children and family."

After discovering that children were getting sick and dying from rare cancers in her small town, Mindi Messmer led the charge to uncover environmental issues that were poisoning the drinking water and environment in her town and many others. She exposed the high rates of cancer in her town and across the state. She worked to prevent cancer and chronic disease and hold polluters accountable for environmental issues with science, science-based policy, and advocacy.

Female Disruptors chronicles Messmer's somewhat surprising experiences as a scientist, concerned mother, and politician. Instead of being appreciated for her work and findings, she was often met with a different response from her male counterparts.

In Female Disruptors, you will discover how gender stereotypes and policies prevent women from entering science fields and ultimately undermines their success and job retention. Women bring important perspectives and alternative problem-solving approaches to the world. Through the lens of her own journey, Messmer is hoping to inspire the next generation of female scientists.