Biographies of trailblazer women in STEMM typically focus on their achievements and less often discuss how they coped with the challenges of running a family, often on their own, while pursuing a career in a traditionally male-dominated field. We have re-written the biographies of extraordinary mothers in STEMM to highlight how they succeeded in leaving their mark on science while also juggling family responsibilities. We hope these inspiring stories will encourage mothers in STEMM to pursue their career aspirations.