Inspiring women are all around us. It doesn’t have to be the latest astronaut or poet laureate that graces all the headlines to inspire and affirm young girls and other women to continue doing amazing things every day, every where. This inspirational topic came from The Scholarly Kitchen in their article, “Women in Research: Stories from the Global South.”

In an era when women are increasingly prominent in medicine, law, and business, why are there so few women scientists and engineers? Various research projects attempt to identify the answer to that question. Environmental and social barriers, including stereotypes, gender bias, and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities are always included in the list of causes that continue to block women’s progress in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

I think as much effort should be put to recruiting more women as it is in figuring why they aren’t there already. Get girls interested in science and engineering early on. Spread the word about girls’ and women’s achievements in math and science. Create college environments that support women in science and engineering. Send inclusive messages about who makes a good science or engineering student.

Melody K. Smith

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