UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Post

Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. I am excited to reflect on and to celebrate the amazing advances towards gender equality in STEM. That said, it is also an opportunity to highlight the acute need to continue the critical efforts to engage young girls and women in the STEM fields, and to continue to push for and support women in leadership positions. Though we have indeed come a long way, there is still work to do - the pipeline isn't yet full, and we still lose women at the senior leadership levels for numerous reasons (some obvious ones include unconscious bias, an unwillingness of the industries to appropriately accommodate motherhood [see my prior post on lack of accommodations for breastfeeding mothers at JP Morgan as prime example], etc). One sentence on the website stuck out to me: "Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields." This is almost certainly an unintentional nuance of the language - but it does three really important and unfortunate things: (1) it puts the onus on *women* for engaging in the field, and for pushing the progress forward, (2) it removes the onus on men (and/or more generally people who do not identify as women), and (3) it removes the onus on existing leaders - including female leaders - to recognize this and address it. Language is important. Accountability is important. In meetings, for example, I coach women to use active ownership language. For example, using "I led" versus "I worked on". Ensuring that when their idea is presented by someone else in a meeting that they speak up with "Thank you for echoing my idea. As I proposed..." Saying "I predict" instead of "I think." Words matter. Because those unconscious biases are hard to ferret out and address, these nuances become important. I look forward to the day that we no longer need a day to recognize women in these fields, when we no longer need to say "there's more work to do", when we are truly blind to gender when it comes to abilities in the workplace, and when leaders adjust their styles to fit their talented women versus expecting women to adjust to fit existing leaders' styles. This takes brave leaders who recognize that they may have biases even if they don't "see" them, and who work to address them and to build systems that support *all* employees (and their family situations). It will continue to take an army of people ensuring young women have access to and are encouraged to participate (and stick around!) in the STEM fields. And - *it will take women helping women.* It's not a zero-sum game for us, and women in leadership roles have a responsibility to help other women navigate these spaces. We've come a long way, baby - and we're not done yet! (Begging forgiveness for usurping a cigarette slogan here...)

So, with Women’s History Month in full swing, it's the perfect time to reflect on the amazing impact women have had on our world, don't you think? I mean, just take a moment to consider it – from trailblazing leaders in politics to boundary-breaking scientists and passionate activists driving change, women have played such a crucial role in shaping our societies and propelling us forward. That's why, in this blog post, we're shining a spotlight on some incredible unsung heroines from history whose stories are still inspiring and empowering us today. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/enX2vwkN

Meet Cynthia Ng – She is from Hong Kong and came to Georgetown University because she was drawn to its network in policy and social sciences. Discover what International Women's Day means to her: "I think International Women's Day and Women's History Month are important reminders for us of the ongoing efforts we've made in uplifting the voices of women/womxn. It's a recognition that unjust structures, maintained by people in power, have often suppressed the voices of women and people from marginalized backgrounds. As a result, it requires a lot of intentionality to give space to and invest in women. "At the end of the day, we need men to care, to participate. To recognize the barriers that women face in all facets of life that invariably affect men negatively too. It means recognizing the interactions of other facets of identity––race, sexual orientation, disability and class, for example––that come into play. It means taking the time to listen to each other, to respect, value and include women in discussions. "To me, International Women's Day and the larger recognition of Women's History Month is a reminder for us to take the time to understand nuances, to share our views, to discuss, and to involve each other, especially people in power, to create a more just and better world––something that we should strive to do every single day." Program: Georgetown University MS Data Science and Analytics Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Graduating: May 2024

“Women in Science Leadership: A New Era for Sustainability Tackling some of the greatest challenges of the Agenda for Sustainable Development - from improving health to combating climate change - will rely on harnessing all talent. That means getting more women working in these fields. Diversity in research expands the pool of talented researchers, bringing in fresh perspectives, talent and creativity. This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened. Although Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields are widely regarded as critical to national economies, so far most countries, no matter their level of development, have not achieved gender equality in STEM.” Let’s push to have more women and girls in science 🧬 I am a proud engineer and I couldn’t imagine being other then something related with science! There are always new things to learn and discover, always a all new world. I can say I am passionate about my background and everything it allows me to do in benefit of others.

Representation is key!

🔬 Celebrating the brilliance of women in science. 🌐 Today marks the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to STEM fields. Employers, your contribution can make a world of difference in championing women in this sector. How you can get involved: ⚡ Mentorship: Launch mentorship programs pairing female scientists with seasoned pros for guidance and inspiration. ⚡ Inclusive Culture: Celebrate diverse contributions openly, fostering a safe environment where ideas thrive, and innovation knows no bounds. ⚡ Financial Empowerment: Break barriers by supporting scholarships and initiatives that empower women in STEM financially. It's time to turn aspirations into achievements as we celebrate and promote this global movement.  💪

🌐✨ Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 🌟👩🔬 Honoring the remarkable achievements of women and girls in science, and acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. 🌍💼 🔍 Theme: "Women in Science Leadership: A New Era for Sustainability" 🌟 Addressing the challenges of the Agenda for Sustainable Development necessitates leveraging all talent. Our commitment to diversity in research cultivates fresh perspectives, talent, and creativity to tackle global issues. 👩🔬 Despite STEM fields' critical role in national economies, gender equality remains a global challenge. The UN underscores the persistent gender gap in STEM disciplines and emphasizes the imperative to enhance women's participation. 📚 Background: Despite significant progress in higher education, women remain under-represented in STEM. Gender equality isn't just a societal goal; it's a core issue for the United Nations, contributing to economic development and aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 🌐 The United Nations recognizes the urgent need for full and equal access to and participation in science, technology, and innovation for women and girls of all ages. Resolutions emphasize promoting women's equal access to education, training, full employment, and decent work. https://lnkd.in/dCeQEN2 🌈 Let's celebrate the achievements of women and girls in science, pledging to create a more inclusive and diverse future for STEM fields! 💙🚀 Live More. Be More. #LiveMore #BeMore #EvansBaroque #WomenInScience #GirlsInSTEM #EqualityInScience #IDWGS2024 #SustainableFuture #LinkedInProfessional #LeadershipInSTEM

Some great advice here! #postdocs #students #STEM #careerdevelopment #mentoring

Today, we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of female scientists across the globe. It is a privilege to work alongside and have been influenced by so many remarkable women in the field of science. Their dedication, innovation, and passion have not only shaped the course of our research but also profoundly impacted my personal and professional growth. Each encounter has left an indelible mark on who I am today. This year, we are called to focus on "Closing the Gender Gap in Science: Accelerating Action." It's a theme that resonates deeply, as it underscores the urgency of creating a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. Let's join forces to dismantle the barriers that prevent talented women from fully participating in science. It's time to accelerate our efforts and ensure that every aspiring female scientist has the opportunity to pursue her dreams, contribute her ideas, and lead us into a future where gender disparity in science belongs firmly in the past. Together, we can close the gap and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive world of science. Here's to celebrating every woman and girl in science today – your courage, your curiosity, and your invaluable contributions are what drive us forward. #WomenInSTEM