Celebrating Women in STEM

EnPower endeavors to spearhead not only a more sustainable future, but also a more equitable one. In the spirit of innovation, disruption, and progress, we proudly challenge industry standards and elevate underrepresented communities in STEM. On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, EnPower celebrates and amplifies the voices of our strong female leaders. 

Women have made meaningful strides in STEM; between 2008 and 2016, for instance, the number of women in the U.S. who earned a STEM degree or certificate rose by 48%. However, there are enduring gender disparities in STEM fields, which we acknowledge and commit to combating.

Studies reveal that, from early childhood, youth are still socialized with limiting gender stereotypes, such as the belief that intellectual ability is “gender innate.” When researchers showed children pictures of professional-looking adults, asking them which adults seemed most intelligent, 5 year olds primarily associated brilliance with their own gender. However, by ages 6 and 7, girls were less likely to associate high intelligence with their own gender, revealing just how early this socialization begins. By extension, since intelligence is perceived as a male trait, and many STEM fields are perceived as reliant on innate intelligence, these fields become similarly conceived. Sara Eddy of Florida International University notes, “Not only do we need to break down the ‘science is male’ stereotype, but now we need to break down a ‘brilliance is male’ stereotype, too.”

So, how can we dispel the myth that science is “for boys?” Research reveals that women role models are a critical component. A 2018 Microsoft study revealed that the number of European girls interested in STEM nearly doubled with the presence of positive role models, whether fictional (in film, media,  literature), real people, or women working in STEM, such as researchers, developers or inventors. These trends were mirrored by Microsoft’s research in the US.

Steps Towards Equity

It’s difficult, however, to have women as STEM role models when they are continually underrepresented in STEM leadership. In the tech industry, women make up only 16% of senior roles and just 10% of executive roles. To begin building a more equitable culture, BuiltIn recommends that companies start with a diverse candidate pool for employees and board seats, hire based on potential, not just current competencies, and put hiring managers through unconscious bias training. Simply hiring women, however, isn’t enough, if they are not treated equitably on the job. To equitably support–and retain–women in STEM, the Center for Creative Leadership highlights 3 key strategies: