EWeek Goes to the United Nations

Education. Encouragement. Engineering

Transcript of briefing now available! (.pdf 225k)

On March 25, "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" became part of an international event. At the United Nations, Dr. Sylvia Wilson-Thomas, representing EWeek and IEEE, reported on "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" and programs promoting math and science education for girls and career opportunities for women. The event was an international briefing, "Girls and Technology: New Educational Opportunities."

At the heart of "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" is the engineer's passion to solve problems. The outreach relies on volunteers with a passion for their profession, helping others, and creating opportunities. Whether or not you participate in Engineers Week/Girl Dday, show your support for girls and women in engineering worldwide. Sign on to the statement below. Alert others to sign. This global "virtual rally" - the only one of its kind - can become a symbol of turning ideas into reality for thousands of individuals. The rallying cry is "Education. Encouragement. Engineering."

Participants in Engineers Week and "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" recognize the need to bring more women into engineering. Currently, only one out of ten engineers in America is a woman. National Engineers Week launched "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" in 2001 as a catalyst to provide girls and young women with a firsthand experience in the engineering arena. An estimated one million girls have been involved annually in what is considered to be the first outreach program targeting girls ever established by a single profession. The campaign is designed to fit existing outreach efforts or start something new, and to promote collaboration among individuals and organizations and, now, even among nations.

In the United States and elsewhere, cultural misconceptions and social perceptions persist in portraying engineering as a male domain. Girls represent half of the future work force yet are not receiving the guidance and encouragement they need to consider entrance into the engineering arena. In the United States, there are still numerous obstacles to overcome. In developing nations, the barriers often seem insurmountable.

"We, the undersigned, encourage all nations to seek the talents, viewpoints and intellects of women in engineering and related mathematics and science fields. Encouragement, education, and work opportunities for girls and women in these fields are imperative to generate and turn ideas into reality for the health, safety, and welfare of all."

Signed:

Donna, USA
Gina, USA
Willard, USA
Sylvia, USA
Carrie, USA
Victoria, USA
Joe, USA
Joan, USA
Deborah , USA
Leslie, USA
Jason, USA
Mulchand, USA
Danise, USA
Stacey, USA
Christina, USA
Carol, USA
Theresa, USA
Marie, USA
Linette, USA
Raymond, USA
Shannon, USA
Lemayian, USA
Mary, USA
Maria I., USA
Cherie, USA
Amy, USA
Karen, USA
Gina, USA
James, USA
Marian, USA
Eileen, Boca Raton, USA
Eric, Frankfort, USA
Brenda, Atlanta, USA
Aaron, Charlotte, USA
Jeanne, Essex Junction, USA
John, Indianapolis, USA
Suzanne, USA
Maria, White Plains, USA
Chris , USA
Lydia, USA
Lilian, Yorktown Heights, USA
Rania, USA
Lynn, San Jose, USA
Lidija, USA
Marshea, Bronx, USA
Joey, Orlando, USA
Terri, USA
Deborah, USA
Patricia, Mount Kisco, USA
Jennifer, Westmont, USA
Douglas, Somers, USA
Erin, Poughkeepsie, USA
Adrienne, USA
Bob, USA
Locksley, New York, USA
Mary Ann, Milan (NY), USA
Laura, USA
Martha, San Jose (Calif.), USA
Linda, San Jose (Calif.), USA
Sally, San Jose (Calif.), USA
Michelle, San Jose (Calif.), USA
Radha, Fremont, USA
Julie, Los Gatos, USA
May, Penang, Malaysia
Barbara, Wheaton (IL), USA
Jack, Denver, USA
Maggie, Chicago, USA
Robert, Rockford (IL), USA
Lee Anne, USA
Julie, Chicago, USA
Michael, Boulder (CO), USA
Maryam, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Susanne, Wilmington ( Delaware), USA
U. G., Wilmington ( Delaware), USA
Kamilah , USA
Monisha , USA
Barbara, Adelaide, Australia
Ashley, Atlanta ( Georgia), USA
David, Peoria (IL), USA
Wilfrida, Mombasa, Kenya
Annie, N’zerekore, Guinea
Gregg, Cleveland (OH), USA
Gayle, Wilmington ( Delaware), USA
Sarah, USA
Luisa, Wilmington ( Delaware), USA
Mariola, Wilmington ( Delaware), USA
Monica, Hockessin, USA
Diana, Ridgecrest, USA
Astghik, , USA
Steven, New York City, USA
Michelle, Kennett Square, USA
Julie, Wilmington ( Delaware), USA
Jennifer, Orange ( Texas), USA
Tina, Edgemoor, USA
Amy , USA
Elizabeth , Newark ( Delaware), USA
Tammy , USA
Sandy , USA
Angels, San Francisco, USA
Amy, Glendale Heights, USA
Carrie, Wyandotte, USA
Dianna, Melbourne, Australia
Sadiq, USA
Jennifer, Tyler (TX), USA
Marie, USA
Heidi, Parkersburg, USA
Kendra, USA
Karen, Wilmington (DE), USA
Elizabeth, Wilmington (DE), USA
Hannah, Kent, USA
Irene, Houston (TX), USA
Stacey, Lowell (Mass), USA
Maria Dolores, Yonkers (NY), USA
Suresh, Las Vegas (NV), USA
Hillary, Denver (CO), USA
Andrea, Barcelona, Spain
Lorraine, Namsbheim, France
Susan, USA
Judith A, Wilmington (DE), USA
Pamela, Parkersburg, USA
Cheryl, USA
Cynthia, Wilmington (DE), USA
Sharon, Wilmington (DE), USA
Johanna, Wilmington (DE), USA

The above supporters are members of these organizations:

ACM: The Association for Computing Machinery
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Nuclear Society
American Physical Society
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Water Works Association
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
American Society for Quality
APESMA (Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia)
Biomedical Engineering Society
Cerro Coso Community College
Cleveland State University , Fenn College of Engineering/Engineering Council
Engineers Without Borders-USA
Eta Kappa Nu (National Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society)
Girl Scouts of DuPage County
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
IEEE-USA
IEEE - WIE
Institute of Industrial Engineers
Institute of Transportation Engineers
MentorNet
National Academy of Engineering
National Academy of Forensic Engineers
National Engineers Week Foundation
National Society of Black Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Society of Automotive Engineers
Societe Francaise de Toxicologie
Sigma Xi (Engineering & Scientific Honor Society)
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
Tau Beta Pi
Western (IL) Society of Engineers

And have offered these comments:

• This is a powerful effort to embrace girls and women across the globe.
• I was blessed to have parents and teachers who led me to believe that nothing was out of my reach if I put forth effort. Hopefully the next generation of women will all have this benefit!
• I encourage everyone to support and understand diversity in the engineering field. Diversity for more women, African-American, Latino, Asian, and all others -- gender, race, diverse-background, etc. will create a diverse workforce that mimics the global village we live in today.
• I've seen many positive changes in the opportunities and climate for women in the engineering ranks both in the engineering schools and the workforce since I began my engineering education in 1981. Without these changes, I don't believe I would have reached my current career milestone of Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM while keeping my sanity as a married mother of three children. I hope that other companies will recognize the value and contributions that women make in engineering and see that workforce programs that accommodate employee lifecycles are good for all employees and good for business.
• It is critical that girls and women are encouraged to look into engineering. They have a unique perspective that can enhance “quality of life.”
• This is a great thing to do for girls and women.
• Engineering is a wonderful field for young women. The field values what we do best: planning, communication, and most importantly finding great solutions. Every day I encourage young women to consider engineering.
• This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on the futures of children who will grow to become our personal and professional colleagues - OUR future(s)! Sincere thanks to all who take time and care to participate.
• I am the Chair of DuPage Area Engineers' Week in Illinois, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004. We wholeheartedly support this effort to see that women and girls throughout the world are encouraged to pursue careers in engineering and technology.
• Thank you for actively seeking out the talents of girls and women who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a career in engineering, science or mathematics.
• Engineering is a very worthwhile field for young women and men to participate in. It has real life applications and is an environment where people can grow personally and professionally. It is a versatile and very divergent field that strengthens numerous skills including analytical thinking and problem solving. The skills gained through Engineering will help one function more effectively at home and work in any walk of life (even medicine if taken on as a second career). Take the opportunity to explore this vast horizon and discover your hidden potential.
• It is just about the right time that women around the world will network for the purpose of improving the participation of women in engineering. This can only be achieved by re-inventing engineering education so it will cater for the learning needs of young and adult women.
• I support the idea of women becoming engineers, though I am an administrator. I would make sure that my only daughter becomes one of them in future. May God bless your organization.
• Thank you so much for your efforts in motivating young minds in the field of Engineering. I am a mother of 7 children, and at the ripe old age of 41 I have started studying Engineering Technology. Thank you for assisting the future on technology!
• The talents of half the world should not be wasted or underutilized.
• There have been many significant engineering and science contributions in the past from women so it goes to reason that society and business should seek and embrace this pool of potential talent. Innovation potential resides in women as well as men.
• This initiative must include the education of society at large that girls can be engineers and scientists too! It is often the societal pressures in a country that turn girls away from engineering careers even though they are fully capable of accomplishing them.
• We need more women in engineering. More girls have to know that engineering is a wonderful fulfilling career option. The mindset of educators has changed from the 1970’s, however, even subtle negativity or discouragement still takes place in schools and at home.

Join the growing list of supporters!
Sign on today!