I just read a very distressing newsletter from the BDPA which should come as no surprise unfortunately. The note concluded that there is a SIGNIFICANT decline among women and minorities in STEM professions. The newsletter highlighted (direct quote) …

"…The number of women and minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has decreased at an alarming rate over the past years. STEM executive respondents in the Bayer Facts of Science Education Survey say there is a significant shortage of STEM talent, especially of women and minorities. Of the 1,000 responding executives, more than half expressed frustration at their companies' inability to hire women and minority STEM workers…"

The newsletter continued that Charles H. Britt, founder and executive director of The Center for Minority Achievement in Science and Technology (CMAST), a Washington, D.C., nonprofit, acknowledges the trend, but emphasizes that there is a disconnection between what companies are looking for and how students are being prepared for the 21st Century workplace. He says "The key is to get women and minorities interested in STEM careers by finding innovative solutions, and not just in the traditional sense," he says. "Even the larger organizations, such as the Hispanic and women engineering organizations, are feeling a slowdown in their momentum of growth."

This is a challenge for us all. We need to encourage more women and minorities to fill the gap in this country for scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technology professions that will be so essential to our economy, national security, and job potential for our young people. I am calling on all of my sisters in STEM professions to talk to young ladies about STEM as a career option. I am speaking to high school and grade school kids in the inner city encouraging them towards STEM careers. When I was in high school, an engineer on career day came to our school and discussed city planning. This was an awakening for me to a whole new life.

It is too important to our kids to ignore this one. We hear these statistics everyday. Now, its time to act.