Women engineers and scientists have flown in space, invented lifesaving devices, and headed universities. Yet the percentage of females working in STEM careers remains a stubbornly low 26 percent.

A new initiative aims to raise interest – and participation. Launched in January by the STEMconnector, Million Women Mentors (MWM) hopes to match 1 million female engineers, scientists, and other successful STEM professionals with women and girls aspiring to pursue STEM degrees and careers. More than 42,000 potential mentors already have signed up to participate in mentoring events around the country during National Mentoring Month and Women’s History Month.

“Mentor duty should be the next jury duty here in America,” STEMconnector’s Chief Partnership Officer Julie Kantor said in launching the program at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

MWM’s network includes 13 corporate sponsors and more than 40 partner organizations that collectively represent more than 18 million women and girls. Read more about the initiative on the StemConnector blog.

Filed under: K-12 Outreach Programs

Tags: Million Women Mentors, Programs for Girls, STEM education, STEM mentors, Web Resources, Women in Engineering, women in STEM