SheSharp’s Post

Together, we can create more success stories for women and girls in technology. 💜 #WomenInTechnology

The Scully Effect: a phenomenon describing how X Files character Dana Scully inspired a generation of women to pursue STEM careers. A fictional + real-life example of why representation in STEM matters! Comment below if you experienced the Scully Effect. 👩🔬

We’re excited to feature Alexis Cain as she shares her insights on women in financial services. Alexis sees community engagement and social media groups as proactive ways for women to learn more about the career. She also suggests more representation and outreach at college fairs so young women can get educated early about the career and understand the steps they need to take to become a financial professional. Check out the graphic below to hear more from Alexis!

If she can see it she can be it. That's why we partnered with Geena Davis Institute to study if and how entertainment media perpetuates STEM representation inequalities. This new study looks at the representation of women in STEM in film and TV from the past five years (2018–2022). It also includes a survey of girls and young women (those in middle-school, high-school, and undergraduate age groups), to better understand their STEM experiences and the role of fictional STEM characters on their interests and ambitions. Check it out: Portray Her 2.0: An Analysis of 15 Years of Women in STEM On-Screen, 2007–2022 — https://lnkd.in/geNAFqVf

I remember reading an article a long time ago, which stated the importance of media portraying women in STEM, the crux was that if young girls can see it, they will get inspired. There is a need for discussion of portrayal of gender in media, and regulatory authorities need to lay down some general guidelines for channels to have some on-air time for shows which have female leads. Particularly, in Pakistan, no attention has been given to this aspect so far. Women in Pakistani media are either portrayed as "Mazloom-Bechari Aurat", who are good for nothing, and are completely co-dependent, and waiting for some superhero to save them from atrocities of the society, or as vicious vampires, who are involved in some kind of conspiracy all the time. It is extremely rare that there is portrayal of a strong woman on media, who is positive and morally sound too. Unfortunately, this approach of putting women into certain boxes, has limited the exposure of the audience. In general, people in Pakistani society have no idea, how to deal with women, who do not fit into the box of their perception.

I hadn’t intended to vote early, it just worked out that way – road was closed on my way to my favorite gas station yesterday, early voting was open as I proceeded to another Sonoco this morning. Polling location was on the righthand side of the road, making it too easy to ‘pop in’; thereby, easing my day on Tuesday. As I got in line, I heard a father ask (out *loud*) “Girls, who are you voting for?”, they gleefully shouted “Harris!” (young, ~ 6-10yo) – brazenly drawing attention. Taking my own personal ‘risks’ of sorts, I *respectfully* (‘conversation-level’ audibility) stated “Well, there’s the next generation.” The woman in front of me sensed my candor & vocalized her concurrence. I felt compelled to share my perspective w/ her, which I think bodes well for a socially-professional LinkedIn post – here it goes: 1.  Those motivated towards ‘power/control’ have used these “womens’ movements” to disassociate women from the home – relegating our children to the care of others, that’s proving to indoctrinate – not educate, especially in the most impressionable years. 2.  Once the ‘greedy/control-starved’ realized manipulating women only advanced their agenda so far, they then went for our men – now, cajoling them out of their masculine place w/n the family/community. Upon hearing that father w/ his two daughters, that 👆 was my immediate internal reflection! I literally “felt” for that man/father!  (Speculating here), but: isn’t it likely that – that man thinks he’s embodying ‘support / empower females' to his daughters? You see, my perspective is:  1. those seeking domination try to maintain the focus on ‘societal’ division, while deepening their grips on the *man/woman* division! 2. Like a new big pharma drug, it’s decades before light falls on the true damages – these ‘movements’ to empower women are now being realized for their true targets: our children & our men As a female veteran – I can speak to the in/external ‘tug-of-war’ 1. My STEM career pursuits didn’t come from “what men can do, I can do better” motivation, rather – so that I’d viably contribute to my family’s wellbeing.  __a. these days, it takes two incomes 👉 conditioning – political, economic, societal __b. if possible, live off one / save the other in event of loss of one/other’s income 👉 logic __c. so my man would get to enjoy a quality of life, not carry full burden (providing one) alone 👉 love, empathy 2. Having made these investments in myself, for the benefit of my future family, have position me to __a. Be selective of who gets the honor of being the (man) head of my house/home; make well-informed selection __b. Make well-informed family decisions, not “influenced by pop-culture” 3. The work / home dynamic, interplay of choices – sometimes this career gets in the way of my cooking/baking 😞 May my post leave you w/ this:  💗 🤍 💙 To our men, if you’ve not yet voted – please ‘dig deep’ before you do. Wellbeing, not ‘allyship’, it what lies in the balance.

𝐈 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐦𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞—𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝. … 𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. -𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐳𝐚𝐢 Women’s History Month celebrates female identifying leaders in the arts, business, education, tech, politics, social justice, and much more. At 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙡𝙩, we believe in the importance of building the next generation of social and racial justice reformists, abolitionists, and scholars who will lead our fight for freedom and justice. Over a third of our participants at 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙡𝙩 are young women, mostly of color. When they walk through our doors they are already facing systemic societal challenges long before that fateful moment they encountered the police, a court, a judge. MckInsey’s Women in the Workplace 2023 report summarizes that: “Women are more ambitious than ever, and workplace flexibility is fueling them. Yet despite some hard-fought gains, women’s representation is not keeping pace.” When we take a closer look, we see that women of color, the young women that exalt serves, are especially vulnerable.   * The gender pay gap has barely closed in the last two years, leaving women earning 82 cents for every man’s dollar. In 2022, Black women earned even less. * Just 70 cents on the dollar compared to  White men * For every 100 men who get promoted, just 87 women do and just 54 black women do. * Women account for less than 28% of C suite positions. Women of color account for just 6% * About 42% of US women have faced discrimination in the workplace on the basis of gender.  * About 41% of US mothers don't bring up their caregiving problems to their employer. These statistics only underscore my fervent belief that the only way we will overcome such inequity is to create the conditions for success for women. That 33% of young women who attend the exalt program are succeeding. They are thriving. They are escaping the criminal justice system, re-engaging with their education and working at well paid internships that set them up for economic success. I have worked in the field for over 20 years and I know that we make great strides when powerful women say ‘YES’ to each other. I know that our society was not created for us; but I don’t accept it. We must support each other and to claim our influence, based on the insights, the innovations, and the contributions we are making.  This month, in honor of Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting the members of the growing exalt team and leadership who are doing just that. We will share with you the women who are empowering women, as well as spotlight 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙡𝙩 alumni thriving and building successful careers, despite the odds. Join me on this critical mission. https://bit.ly/49C4KEf

Today is Ada Lovelace Day! It’s a day to celebrate the incredible achievements of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and recognize how far we’ve come. Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, laid the groundwork for women to make lasting contributions to these fields, and her legacy continues to inspire us today. My experience at Dexter Energy has shown me how vital it is to have a supportive environment where women in tech have the same voice and opportunities as men. Dexter fosters a culture of collaboration, growth, and inclusion, which isn’t always the norm in the tech world. It’s a place where everyone can thrive and feel heard—an example of how all workplaces should strive to empower women in STEM. As we celebrate today, let’s continue to support and uplift young women and girls who aspire to join STEM fields. There’s still work to be done, but every step toward inclusion matters. Together, we can build a future where women are equally represented and empowered 💪 .

## Celebrating Daughters: Empowering the Next Generation of Women As we commemorate Daughter’s Day, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the vital role daughters play in our lives and society. This day isn't just about celebrating our daughters; it's about recognizing the potential within them and the importance of empowering the next generation of women. ### The Significance of Daughter’s Day Daughter’s Day serves as a reminder of the unique contributions that daughters make to families and communities. They are often the torchbearers of change, breaking barriers and redefining norms. By celebrating this day, we honor their individuality and the dreams they aspire to achieve. ### Empowerment Through Education Education is a powerful tool for empowerment. By ensuring that our daughters receive quality education, we equip them with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the world. Initiatives that promote STEM education, leadership programs, and mentorship opportunities can significantly impact their future. ### Encouraging Self-Expression Encouraging daughters to express themselves freely fosters creativity and self-confidence. Whether through art, sports, or public speaking, allowing them to explore their interests helps cultivate their unique identities. As parents, educators, and community members, we should create environments where girls feel safe and supported in sharing their voices. ### Role Models and Representation Representation matters. When daughters see women in leadership roles, whether in business, politics, or science, it inspires them to dream big. Highlighting the achievements of women from diverse backgrounds can motivate the next generation to pursue their passions without limits. ### Building Supportive Communities Creating supportive networks is essential for empowering women. Organizations and community groups dedicated to women’s advancement provide resources and platforms for collaboration. Encouraging daughters to participate in these communities instills a sense of belonging and support. ### Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion Empowering daughters also means embracing diversity. Every girl has her own story, and recognizing the importance of cultural, social, and economic diversity enriches our communities. By promoting inclusion, we ensure that every daughter has the opportunity to thrive. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how we can uplift and empower our daughters today and every day! #DaughtersDay #EmpowerWomen #NextGenLeaders

Empower and Inspire: 5 Dynamic Ways to Celebrate Women's History Month in Your Schools 🌸 Ignite inspiration and celebration across your district before month's end! Here's how: 👉 Themed Curriculum Activities: Recommend lessons that spotlight women's vast contributions, enriching students' perspectives. 👉 Art and Expression Projects: Advocate for artistic expression to honor women's achievements, blending history with creativity. 👉 Community Service Projects: Encourage student involvement in community service initiatives led by women, fostering support and engagement. 👉 Virtual Guest Speakers: Facilitate connections with women leaders for inspirational talks, bringing real-world perspectives to students. 👉 Educational Field Trips: Suggest that schools organize field trips to sites significant to women's history, deepening understanding and respect. With March nearing its end, there's still time to motivate schools within your district to actively celebrate Women's History Month. These five ideas can guide your schools in highlighting the importance of women's contributions, empowering and inspiring our future leaders. #WomensHistoryMonth #EmpowermentInEducation #k12 #weloveschools