Tribute to Science: How Ascenda Luna Honors the Unsung Pioneers | Dorothy Hodgkin

At Ascenda Luna, fashion is more than style — it is a way to remember, honor, and inspire.

The Tribute to Science collection was created with one purpose: to bring the brilliance of overlooked scientists into the light. Too many names have been left out of the spotlight, even though their work changed history. With this series, we turn their stories into wearable tributes. 

When we speak of great scientists, only a handful of names usually come to mind — and often missing are women whose discoveries changed the course of humanity. One such name is Dorothy Hodgkin (1910–1994), the British chemist who broke through the limits of her time and proved that persistence and devotion to knowledge can shape the future.

The Science of Revelation

Hodgkin was a pioneer in the technique of X-ray crystallography, a method that allows scientists to reveal the structure of complex biological molecules. With this technique, she managed to “see” what no human eye could:

• Insulin – a medicine that has saved millions of lives.

• Penicillin – the first antibiotic that revolutionized medicine.

• Vitamin B12 – fundamental to the health of the nervous system.

Her discoveries were not merely theoretical; they became a lifeline for humanity.

Defying Obstacles

Hodgkin’s path was far from easy. She lived in an era when women were rarely accepted into the higher ranks of science. She also suffered from chronic rheumatoid arthritis, which limited her mobility. Yet, with determination, she continued her research, proving that the power of will can overcome any physical barrier.

Recognition and Legacy

In 1964, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work on the structure of vitamin B12. But for Ascenda Luna, her true victory was not the award itself — it was that she embodied the very definition of persistence, perseverance, and faith in science.