The United Nations passed Resolution 70/2012 in 2015, marking February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. By adopting this resolution, the UN affirmed that “eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions … is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.” To date, 163 member states have hosted more than 105,000 events worldwide.
While 2024’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science was observed far and wide, there remain many other opportunities to celebrate women’s progress in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and to join in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM.
February
- February is National Women Inventors Month.
- February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
- February 24 is Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.
March
- March is Women’s History Month.
- March 2 kicks off International Women’s Week.
- March 8 is International Women’s Day.
April
- April 1 is Informed Women Month.
- April 25 is International Girls in ICT (information & communication technology) Day.
STEM-UP Network is actively promoting female representation in STEM across Central Pennsylvania and beyond. Offering resources and activities, the network empowers members with actionable strategies and valuable connections to progress in their careers, assume leadership positions, and inspire other women in STEM.
One of the signature events will be held on April 12, 2024: STEM-UP’s 2024 Success in STEM Women’s Leadership Summit. The summit theme this year is Building Your Confidence and Community. This is a celebration of women’s progress and promise and a time to exchange ideas through workshops, panels, and guest speakers. Registration is open.
- Where: Members 1st Federal Credit Union headquarters (5000 Marketplace Way, Enola, PA)
- When: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST
- Is it digital? Absolutely! Those who can’t join in-person are encouraged to attend virtually.
The 2024 summit hosted by STEM-UP comes on the heels of a mixed year of developments in women’s advancement within science and technology, as observed in 2023.
McKinsey recently unveiled their ninth annual Women in the Workplace report. The report notes significant strides in women’s representation in the C-suite. However, the authors caution that there is a persistent gender gap, particularly in STEM, and a continued underrepresentation of women of color. The authors stated, “This year’s research reveals hard-fought gains at the top, with women’s representation in the C-suite at the highest it has ever been. However, with lagging progress in the middle of the pipeline – and a persistent underrepresentation of women of color – true parity remains painfully out of reach.”
McKinsey’s research demonstrates that companies investing in DEI efforts tend to be market leaders. The report also affirms that advancing gender diversity contributes to a more robust and dynamic economy and that supporting women in STEM is a critical part of bridging existing skills gaps in vital industries.
Dr. Bilita Mattes, Executive Director of STEM-UP Network, agreed with the report’s findings: “There remains a substantial – some say widening – disconnect between what qualified women workers want and need, and the practices and perceptions of leadership in organizations.” Dr. Mattes called attention to the report’s actionable steps, such as unlocking flexible work models, addressing microaggressions, tracking outcomes for women’s representation efforts, and empowering managers to become more effective people leaders.
Dr. Mattes looks forward to STEM-UP’s April 2024 summit as a chance to share both the good news of 2023 and the work still to be done to keep women in STEM.
“This report highlights the fact that these young women need support beyond high school and college and into their early career so they can persist and advance,” she said. “We can stop the flow of women out of STEM careers and support them in the advancement to leadership positions. If we pay attention to the data and research, a way forward is clear to narrow the gender talent gap in STEM and increase the success of companies.”
ABOUT STEM-UP NETWORK
Our community of professional women in STEM prepares women with real-world strategies and relationships that support development and advancement within STEM careers. STEM-UP supports STEM Women in Higher Education including Students, Faculty, and Early-Career Professionals. Over the past year, almost 600 women from across the country and 6 countries have participated in (and benefitted from) STEM-UP Network programs and connections. For additional information about STEM-UP Network, please email stemupnetwork@harrisburgu.edu. Stay updated by following STEM-UP Network on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717-901-5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
