A small thank you note to Katie Bouman

Katie,

You don’t know me, and we’ll probably never meet. Actually, it’s safe to say that it is doubtful you’ll ever read this text. But I wanted to write to you because — well, because you’re awesome.

Nowadays, it’s been so tiring being a woman. It’s better than before, I guess, we’re further than any men ever imagined we would be. But when you watch TV, now and then there’s news about how some girl was the first woman to do something.

They’re awesome too; I’m not saying they aren’t. But don’t you think it’s revolting that, in 2019, there are still women being the first ones to do something that men have already accomplished years, sometimes centuries, ago? The first woman to be CEO in a company, the first woman to be Sargent in the army, the first female president of a given country…

We don’t want to be the first women. We want that our place in leadership is so natural that, when you Google “doctor,” or “professor,” or “scientist,” at least 50% of the pictures are of women. We want to keep our jobs when we get pregnant. We want space to conquer anything.

It’s frustrating to see how slowly our path towards equality is.

We are so underestimated. When you see through all significant discoveries, most of them were made by men. I’m sure Isaac Newton and Benjamin Franklin were brilliant, but I’m also sure there were brilliant women who could do just as relevant inventions — were they given the chance, the means, and the voice.

That’s why I got so excited when I saw that the first picture of a black hole in history was possible because of a woman — more than that, a young girl, only a few years older than me.

You were not the first woman to do something men have already done. These accomplishments, although significant landmarks, are only important for us. You were the first person ever to take this picture, and your name will be forever remembered for it.

Katie, I don’t know you and, to be honest, today was the first time I have ever heard your name. Well, I’m just a South American girl with great curiosity, but zero talent in astronomy. But you inspire me. You’re awesome. You go, girl.

Rattle the stars.