I was just reading the website of the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP).  I recently spoke at their Wisconsin event and if you have not checked out this organization, I would encourage you to do so.  The NGCP does wonderful work encouraging girls to pursue careers in the STEM fields.  During my recent talk, I shared with the young ladies how my career has been as a civil engineer and how much fun it really is. 

The NGCP has several good research documents on their website if you are interested in the statistics on women in engineering.  Also, the Society of Women Engineers also has excellent content promoting STEM among women/students as well.  I still find it amazing that we are still discussing this topic in 2010.  I graduated in 1981 and we are still facing some of the same challenges in times past.  Women of Color are still underrepresented in STEM professions.

The President today discussed his new initiative to challenge drop out rates and low achievement.  For years, I was quietly working my profession and not speaking out.  It is time for women scientists, doctors, engineers, mathematicians and other STEM professionals to come forward and encourage young women to pursue STEM careers. 

If you are a woman in STEM, let me know what you think!   The time is now for our younger sisters to embrace the STEM professions.