Glowing Women

Beginning with the observation that women’s surnames are often overlooked, marginalized, or lost across generations, Glowing Women explores the social, cultural, and institutional factors that shape women’s opportunities for fulfilment, visibility, and self-realization throughout the different stages of their lives. The book addresses a wide range of topics, including family and school education, partner choice, life as a couple, parenthood, domestic responsibilities, self-confidence, gender bias, media representation, employment, career development, and professional recognition. Drawing on the author's experience as a university professor, the book combines personal reflections with interviews, anecdotes, and real-life accounts from women researchers in Operations Research. These contributors come from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds and represent countries ranging from Belgium and Brazil to Israel and Nepal. Despite their different circumstances, they reveal strikingly similar experiences in navigating academic careers, balancing professional and personal responsibilities, and seeking recognition for their achievements. Of particular relevance to women in academia and STEM disciplines, the book highlights both the visible and less visible barriers that continue to affect women's participation, advancement, and leadership. Through candid and often inspiring narratives, it offers insights into the challenges faced by women researchers while also celebrating their resilience, accomplishments, and capacity to shape their own paths. Combining personal testimony, professional experience, and reflections on gender and identity, the book offers an engaging perspective on the lives of women researchers in Operations Research. It will be of interest to academics, researchers, students, and professionals seeking to better understand the opportunities and challenges that women encounter in their personal and professional journeys, while contributing to broader conversations about equality, recognition, and inclusion in academia and beyond.