Women’s History Month

Much has changed as I reflect upon my career over the past 37 years. According to the U.S. census, in 1970, women made up 38% of all U.S. workers and 8% of STEM workers. By 2019, the STEM proportion had increased to 27%, a significant number by all accounts. 

One of four women engineers in a division of 350 employees and the only black female engineer at the time, I elicited much curiosity at the start of my career. Fast forward to 2022, and two women out of four executives have integrated the C-suite of that agency. 

It is progress, and it is very commendable, especially when we celebrate the many accomplishments of women during Women’s History Month. I dare say, however, that it is not enough, and much work remains. Most of the recorded gains in STEM are in the social sciences and mathematics. Engineering remains the most male-dominated field in STEM, with women making up only 13% of the engineering workforce. This percentage is too low to command impactful changes. While women in the financial and public transportation sectors, the medical and judicial worlds have reached the highest levels in their respective fields, the numbers for women engineers are dismal. For black women and women of color, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Most companies and public agencies whose workforce mainly consists of engineers lack women engineers in the C-Suite. And our young women do not see themselves reflected in the dreams they have for their careers.  

I remain hopeful. As organizations such as COMTO use their voices to influence access and professional mobility for those that lack opportunities, providing scholarships, training emerging leaders, and recognizing black excellence in the industry, we are bound to see progress. As each successful woman engineer adds a crack to the glass ceiling and uses her platform to tip the balance and contribute to the preparation and success of the next generation, that day is soon approaching. The time will come when we no longer speak of the first female or female of color to be in positions of influence and power. I cannot wait. 

Meanwhile, let’s do our part to contribute to progress. Let’s ensure the talent pipeline remains full to attain critical mass in the industry. Let us use the success achieved to build a legacy that results in more women in the profession.  

As a recipient of the COMTO Women Who Move the Nation award, I feel the duty to pay it forward and help build that pipeline. As the cost of college keeps increasing and the difficulties of being a first-generation college attendee are felt especially hard by black women, I pledged scholarship money to first-generation black women majoring in engineering. Two of the most impactful people I know in the industry pledged to match my donations and contribute to the COMTO scholarship fund in a gesture of incredible generosity.

I am sure there will be others. Like my friends, many care to make a difference and invest in our future leaders.