We interviewed Rachel Ignotofsky on her books, Women in Science and the newly released Women in Sports. Read the interview below, and find out how to win a copy of Women in Science and so much more!

A Conversation with Rachel Ignotofsky, author and illustrator of Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

Who is your biggest inspiration?
Many of the women I write about have become my heroes, like Rachel Carson. Through her writing, she persuaded the general public to care about marine biology, pollution, and the environment. When DDT (a pesticide) was polluting the groundwater, she found the proof, stood up to powerful chemical corporations, and stood on the floor of Congress to help create the EPA. All of this was done while she was fighting breast cancer. Her work and legacy are a beacon of hope for me.

Where are you from?
New Jersey! Born and raised. I moved to Kansas City for my first job out of college, and now I am headed to Los Angeles for my next adventure. I think it would be cool to live in every region in the U.S. at least once.
 

When/how did you start creating/designing?
I have been drawing longer than I remember, but it was when I was 14 that I started to take it seriously. I went to my art teacher at the time and said I wanted illustration to be my job. I started drawing comics and tiny books throughout high school and college. Making books is something I always wanted to do.

How did Women in Science come to be?
My best friend was working as a math teacher, and we would talk a lot about problems he saw in his classroom, and how he had no materials with which to inspire his young girls. I could relate, because I never learned about female scientists in school growing up. There are so many women who have contributed just as much as Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking, but for some reason there were no fun books about them, no specials on TV, no really accessible materials about any of them. It seemed like unless you were talking about Marie Curie, it was just a history of men throughout science. So I decided to create the book I wish I had growing up.

In my book there are true stories, from ancient Alexandria to modern day, about women who have truly changed our world with their discoveries. I hope by sharing their stories with bright and beautiful illustrations we can introduce young girls and boys to female role models, break down gender stereotypes, and inspire everyone to learn more about our universe!

What are you reading now?
I just got back from San Diego Comic-Con, so right now I am reading one of the graphic novels I bought called My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris. It is a gorgeous piece of artwork.

I’m also writing my next book, which is all about ecology and preservation, which means I am also reading the textbook Scientific American: Environmental Science for a Changing World by Anne Houtman, Susan Karr, and Jeneen InterlandI. If you want to dive deep and really understand how our planet works, this is a great resource.
 

What else should we know?
My newest book, Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win just came out a couple of weeks ago! I couldn't be more excited to share the stories of some of the world’s greatest athletes. I think the most basic stereotype that women face is that our bodies are inherently weak. Weakness has been an excuse to not allow women to be independent, attend higher university, or become leaders in business or government. It couldn't be more important to break down that stereotype. And what better way than by telling true stories of women who have, throughout history, bench pressed over 300 lbs, climbed  Mt. Everest, and broken world records? These women didn't just break records; many also had to break the rules, face sexism, and many faced racism as well, all to be able to pursue their passions in sports. By winning on a world stage, athletes like Billie Jean King, Junko Tabei, Gertrude Ederle, Wilma Rudolph, Althea Gibson, and Simone Biles changed the perceptions of what all women are capable of.

NYPL Shop Book Giveaway

We are giving away TWO prize packs each containing:

1. One copy of Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky;
2. One copy of Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky;
3. One “I Love Science: A Journal for Self-Discovery and Big Ideas” journal;
4. One 3''x5'' lined paper journal;
5. One NYPL sticker - 3.5'' round;  and
6. One pack of 5 NYPL quote pencils.

To enter our giveaway, follow each of the steps below:

1. Visit us on Instagram by going to this post.
2. Once on our Instagram page, follow us by clicking on the blue “Follow” button on the top of our page, to the right of the profile picture.
3. “Like” our NYPL Shop Book Giveaway post by double clicking on the image or by clicking on the heart just below the photo.
4. Leave us a comment below the post by pressing the speech bubble next to the heart and typing your text. Note that the entries will not be judged based on the quality or quantity of the comment(s); the winner will be selected at random.

Entries will be accepted from September 25, 2017 at 12:00PM EST until October 1, 2017 at 12:00PM EST. Subject to Official Rules. For a full list of the official rules, please click here.