Women in Engineering

Workforce Development…You see the phrase everywhere. There are few industries and professions that aren’t facing the inevitable baby boomer bomb—departure of all those baby boomers for very long vacations called retirement. For science and technology sectors this problem is magnified, particularly in the US.

Despite this looming departure, there is hope!

There is a huge, largely untapped resource for science, engineering, and technology: Women. I like to say that Science and Technology remains the last bastion of male dominance (Enjoy it while it lasts guys!). Despite more and more women entering the field, they are still significantly outnumbered. Women have entered other “non-traditional” fields in droves (the medical and legal professions and politics, to name a few), almost surpassing their male counterparts. So, why are women slow to enter Science and Technology?

From my very American perspective, the problem is the conditioning of young girls. As long as we continue to bombard them with messages that they are princesses waiting for Prince Charming, while we tell little boys to aspire to be super-heroes and save the world, men will outnumber women in Science and Technology, and probably the Executive Suite.

But we all have an opportunity to persuade young girls that there are other options. See the information (as sent to me) below regarding a very noteworthy event: 2008 Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering.

Do your part! Participate and steer a young girl into an exciting, technical profession.


24-hour Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering

MEMO

To: Engineers Week Partners
From: Leslie Collins, National Engineers Week Foundation

You are invited to join your engineering, business and volunteer peers around the world for the 2008 Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering. The purpose of this message is to introduce you to the regional leaders for the 2008 event. You will find them at
http://www.eweek.org/site/News/Eweek/2008_marathon/index.shtml.

The marathon is the only event of its kind and a terrific opportunity to build global collaboration. Our 2008 marathon is truly global. The participating regions, in the order we follow the sun for 24 continuous hours, are North America, Mexico/South America, China, India, Africa/Middle East, UK/Europe, and, we conclude back in North America. Each region is responsible for developing its own programming and engaging audiences. We have a wonderful group of executive volunteers and they need your support.

The regional contacts, National Engineers Week Foundation staff and leaders from Verizon Business invite you to join us right away. Please encourage your business locations, affinity and outreach partners, and members to get involved. There are opportunities to make presentations, help build audiences for the global event and join a regional planning committee.

Please contact the respective regions directly and let them know how you can help this important effort for the engineering profession. Or, feel free to contact the National Engineers Week Foundation office at 703-684-2852 or engineeringwomen@eweek.org .

Thank you.


North America – Chaired by Verizon Business
Cybelle Long
Cybelle.long@verizonbusiness.com
Norma Henry
norma.henry@verizonbusiness.com

Mexico and South America – Chaired by DuPont
Lizbeth Medina
Lizbeth.medina@mex.dupont.com
Katia Hamada
Katia.r.hamada@bra.dupont.com

China – Chaired by CIE-USA and IBM
Ray Tan
raytan@cn.ibm.com
Shou Hui "Carol" Wang
shwang@cn.ibm.com

India – Chaired by Motorola
Deepa Singhal
a15480@motorola.com
Richa Dham
a22423@motorola.com
Soumya Lakshimi
a13908@motorola.com

Africa/Middle East - Chaired by IBM
Vikki Jackson
VIKKIJ@za.ibm.com

UK/Europe – Chaired by BP
Deborah Grubbe
Deb.grubbe@uk.bp.com
Meredith Short
Meredith.short@uk.bp.com
Teresa Schofield
tmschofield@theiet.org

North America
The 24 hours conclude in North America.