This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of Jeanne Amélie Lüer to medical innovation. In 1894, Lüer played a pivotal role in designing and producing the first all-glass syringe in Paris—a groundbreaking advancement that revolutionized medical injections.
Her innovation laid the foundation for modern syringes, essential tools in diagnostics and treatment, enabling the safe and effective administration of medications, fluids, and more. Lüer’s work continues to shape medical advancements today, highlighting the invaluable role women have played in scientific progress.
At IDEVAX, we honour Lüer’s legacy and the lasting impact of her contributions to healthcare. As our work specializes in injection technology, we recognize the significant impact and contributions of these advancements in the field.
To further celebrate the contributions of women in science—and in all aspects of life—we asked our team to share a woman who has inspired them. She could be a renowned scientist, a public figure, a mentor, a colleague, or someone they’ve encountered on their journey.
Here’s what they had to say:
Lydia van Geloven
To me a very powerful woman is Malala Yousafzai. Already from the age of 11, she started writings blogs about her life under the Taliban regime. She is a human rights advocate for the education of women and children in her native homeland, Swat, where the Pakistani Taliban had banned girls from attending school. At the age of 15 Malala, together with two other girls were shot by a Taliban man targeting her for her education activism; She was struck in the head by a bullet and left in critical condition. After recovery of many surgeries, Malala became a prominent activist for the right to education. In 2014 at the age of 17 she is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history.
Veerle De Colvenaer
To me our CEO, Vanessa is a leading example on how to never give up pushing your ideas forward and an example of never-ending energy and warmth. Another great female person who has always inspired me is Hilde Windels from Biocartis, Mycartis, Antelope Dx. I have worked with her several years in several companies. She will always lead by example and although she came from a finance background, she knew very well how to bring a medical device towards the market. She has the power of undressing the core and thereby keeping/bringing focus and creating impact: all unneccessary information or potential distractions lifted out of the story, the story of the company or the path towards the market becomes very clear. She also knows how to deal with big parties and how to keep a team inspired even though results might not be what you hoped for.
Manon Randrianantoandro
My mother has been a significant inspiration in my life. Though it sounds like a cliché answer, she taught me the importance of kindness, the value of understanding different perspectives, and finding joy in everyday moments. Her influence has shaped my outlook and continues to guide me in both personal and professional settings.
José Tijsen
Jeanne Amélie Lüer (1842-1909) – French surgical instrument maker. Her significant achievements was the development of an all-glass syringe in 1894, known as the “Lüer syringe, although the recognition went to her husband due to the situation, the business structure and the overall gender climate in the 19th century.
Els Borst (1932 -2014) – Dutch politician and physician. She Advocated for Better Healthcare for Everyone; She Broke Barriers for Women in Medicine & Politics; She Led with Kindness, Integrity, and Intelligence.
Mariam Beroshvili
It’s difficult to choose just one woman who inspires me, especially with so many incredible women around me. But if I had to pick, I’d say my mom and all the women in my family. They’ve been my greatest influences. Their support has played a huge role in shaping who I am today, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.
Alejandra Rios Cortes
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist known for her bold, symbolic self-portraits that reflected her struggles, identity, and resilience. She inspires me with her unapologetic self-expression, showing that pain and challenges can be transformed into powerful art that speaks beyond words. She trusted her creative instincts, and that inspires me to do the same. She reminds me to own my uniqueness, and trust my creativity.
Arya Mehta
Marie Curie, a pioneering scientist whose research revolutionized modern medicine and physics. As the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two scientific fields, she broke barriers and contributed to advancements in cancer treatment and medical imaging. She reminds me that science is for all, and that perseverance and passion can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Vanessa Vankerckhoven
Florence Nightingale changed nursing and public health during the Crimean War by improving hygiene and saving lives. As a scientist, medical microbiologist, and vaccinologist, I admire her evidence-based approach and impact on healthcare. It also reminds me of my grandmothers, who lived through WWII, who inspired me with their resilience, much like Nightingale’s dedication and strength.
Nancy Kemland
Sylvia Earle (born August 30, 1935, Gibbstown, New Jersey, U.S.) is an American oceanographer and explorer known for her research on marine algae and her books and documentaries designed to raise awareness of the threats that overfishing and pollution pose to the world’s oceans. A pioneer in the use of modern self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) gear and the development of deep-sea submersibles, Earle also holds the world record for the deepest untethered dive.
In 1964, Earle was invited on a six-week voyage to the Indian Ocean on a National Science Foundation research vessel. It was a demanding job that was not often offered to women at the time, but Earle was used to being the only woman in a scientific setting and made the most of the opportunity. From 1964 to 1966, Earle joined voyages to the Galápagos Islands, the Chilean cost, and the Panama Canal Zone. In 1965, she was named resident director of the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. This was all on top of completing her coursework and writing her dissertation.
In 1990, Earle was appointed the Chief Scientist of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first woman to hold the position.
Earle is the president and Chairman of the Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance, an ocean advocacy group. Their most recent effort is to develop a global network of “Hope Spots,” dedicated to protecting the biodiversity on which Earth’s interconnected ecosystems depend, particularly in light of the accelerating threat of climate change.
Danielle Pasmans
I am convinced female teachers play an invaluable role in empowering young girls to pursue their passions and dream big.
Nour Medjdoub
My biggest inspirations are my mother and my sister. My mother’s passion for science and unwavering support have shaped who I am. My sister, Amel Medjdoub, is a dedicated scientist who was awarded the Sanofi-ATRSS Health Research Prize in 2014 for her groundbreaking work on the effects of pesticides on lymphocyte proliferation and oxidative stress. At the time, I was in my final year of high school, a bit unsure about what I wanted to do. Seeing her win such a prestigious award and the impact of her research helped me realize that I wanted to pursue a path in science. Their dedication continues to motivate me every day.
Koen Beyers
Rising above Bill, for me Melinda Gates has always been an inspiration through her philanthropic efforts to improve global health, education, and gender equality.
All the women in the Idevax team. Their dedication to MedTech and Life Sciences, and addressing critical social and health issues demonstrates the profound impact a team can have to work towards a better world.
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