Beyond the Surface: Celebrating Women in Mathematics at May12 @UPD
On May 12, the UP Diliman Institute of Mathematics (IMath) proudly joined the worldwide mathematical community in celebrating the May12 Initiative. Held annually in honor of the birthday of Maryam Mirzakhani—the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Fields Medal—the global event aims to celebrate the achievements of women in mathematics and foster a more inclusive academic environment.
Here at IMath, the celebration centered around a special film screening of the documentary Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani, complemented by a month-long poster exhibit highlighting our own local women researchers.
A Serendipitous Screening
The afternoon’s film showing was characterized by an incredible, supportive energy from a mix of students, faculty, and staff. Interestingly, a last-minute electrical issue in the original room necessitated a sudden change of venue to the second-floor lobby area. This unexpected pivot turned out to be a true blessing in disguise. The open, semi-outdoors feel of the lobby provided a beautiful view and allowed us to comfortably accommodate an even larger crowd. It created the perfect relaxed atmosphere for the community to gather, share light snacks, and reflect.
The Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Secrets of the Surface offered a profound look into the life of Maryam Mirzakhani. What stood out most was not just her unparalleled brilliance in geometry, but her deep relatability. The documentary beautifully balanced her complex mathematical achievements with her personal life, showing that she was, in many ways, an “ordinary” person who enjoyed normal things and cherished her friends. Her extraordinary legacy was rooted in a very pure, genuine excitement for the mathematics she was doing.
Highlighting the Women of IMath
While the film honored a global icon, the “Poster Exhibit : Women in IMath” displayed on the venue brought that inspiration home. Currently, women make up about 30% of the IMath faculty. While this is a solid foundation, the enduring goal is to see that representation grow.
The exhibit was designed to show students—especially women and those from underrepresented genders—that they can absolutely thrive in a historically male-dominated field. By sharing not just their academic output, but the people behind the research, the featured profiles included:
- Research Group & Interests
- Favorite Theorem(s) and Why
- Hobbies and Interests
- A Woman Mathematician / Scientist They Look Up To
- A Message to Aspiring Women in Math
Seeing the diverse hobbies, personal role models, and favorite theorems of their own professors helps students realize that successful mathematicians are well-rounded individuals just like them.
The Core Takeaway
Being part of a simultaneous, worldwide movement is an amazing feeling, but the true success of May12 @UPD lies in its impact on our local community. If there is one core message to take away from this event, it is simply this: We must continually celebrate women in mathematics. By honoring trailblazers like Maryam Mirzakhani and uplifting the researchers walking the halls of our own institute, we pave the way for the next generation of mathematical minds to find their own joy and success in the field.
Explore the May12 @UPD official website here: https://math.upd.edu.ph/may12/
Follow the May12 @UPD Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/may12atupd