STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For one to be “in STEM” is to closely study a field that correlates within those four categories. But specifically, what does it mean to be a woman in STEM? Generally, studying STEM is no easy feat, but to be a woman within this rigorous field used to be nearly impossible. The education system was set up to work for the wealthy (usually white) men, making it twice as hard for women and people of color to be successful in this field, solely due to discrimination.

Historically, the education system in general, was intended for the privileged young men. After the fall of the Roman Empire, in the 5th century, educational training was reserved for the rich white men, and the religiously devoted. The only way for women to become partially educated was through convents, therefore the educated women were mostly nuns. (PCS Edventures) Then, in the Age of Enlightenment, education became available to women of wealth. Finally, in the 19th and 20th centuries, women began to campaign for their rights to equal educational opportunity.  

Therefore, dating back to 1970, women occupied 38% of the entire workforce and 8% of STEM workers. Recently, in 2019, women make up 48% of all workers and 27% in STEM, with social science occupations having the greatest increase from 19% to 64%. Mathematics and physical sciences have made great progress as well, however, engineering and computer occupations have made slow progress. (Martinez & Christnatch) The gender pay gap within STEM reveals that women make 74% to men. 

What is the gender pay gap? The gender pay gap is the factual claim that a woman, with the same occupation and all the same qualifications, earns 82 cents per every dollar a man makes. (Jones 2020) However, in 1973, the average woman was making 57 cents to the average man’s dollar. It is also proven that women make less than their male counterparts in almost every profession, excluding a handful of positions such as social workers. Secondly, women from each ethnical background earn less than their white male counterparts at each educational level. Unfortunately, in most cases, women of color with advanced degrees will still make less than a white man with at most a bachelor’s degree. Lastly, the pandemic has negatively impacted the improvement of the pay gap that was taking place, pre-pandemic. The gains towards occupational equality have stalled due to many women leaving the workforce due to layoffs, lack of child care, etc. (Jones 2020) 

Why are there less women in the workforce? First of all, there is a lack of role models, especially with the lack of STEM women in the past who are represented in today’s culture. Secondly, and most obvious, is the sexism that takes place within our education systems. Sexism has turned away many qualified women, due to disrespect, sexual assault, discrimination, unfriendly environments, etc. (WGU 2019) 

Although women are underrepresented in many fields, such as engineering and computing, women are more likely to enroll in college and finish with a bachelor’s degree. In the first quarter of the 2019 college year, women effectively became the majority in the college-educated workforce. (Fry 2019) 29.5 million women in the workforce had completed a bachelor's degree, which matched and overtook the 29.3 million men with a bachelor’s degree. Secondly, in the 2017-18 school year, women accounted for 58% of all STEM bachelor’s degrees, 48% of the STEM research doctoral degrees and a whopping 60% of STEM master’s degrees. Additionally, 48% of professional doctorate degrees, specifically M.D., were women. (Fry & Kennedy & Funk 2021)

One huge cause of success in the growing rates of women’s secondary education was Title IX. Title IX was a huge moment in leveling the educational playing field. It prohibits sex discrimination in any educational instituiton/program, including STEM. (AAUW) Due to this article, the number of college female athletes, students, and educators has risen. Title IX has given rights to women on the college campus setting. Although the system is far from perfect, progress is being made.  

With the lack of role models for women in STEM, that does not mean they’re aren’t remarkable women from the field. A few examples include: Elizabeth Blackwell, MD (1821-1910), was the first woman to ever be awarded a medical degree. She co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, which served the lower-income communities of New York. (Weiner, 2020) Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD (1831-1895), was the first African American woman to earn a MD degree. She was a known pioneer, as she served in Virginia, following the Civil War, to care for formerly enslaved people. Gerty Theresa Cori, PhD (1896-1957), was the first woman to earn a Nobel Prize in science. She founded the Cori cycle, explaining the way glucose is metabolized, key for the treatment of diabetes. (Weiner & Writer 2020)

Although the percentages have risen of women in certain STEM workplaces, there are other fields that have grown marginally, such as engineering. With women existing in nearly half of some STEM work forces, such as medicine, there is still the gender pay gap. Therefore, what are some ways we can make a positive impact now to encourage the youth of the US to follow their dreams, despite the challenges they will face?  Firstly, having female role models, so they can feel encouraged to follow their dreams with the fear of discrimination blocking their goals. Secondly, early exposures to STEM. There are many programs around the nation that have begun to expose STEM to the youth through their middle schools, summer programs, etc. Some examples include the Stanford Science Exploratory Programs or the Smithsonian Institution online lessons for middle school students. Lastly, by providing resources to the underserved. Stanford works closely with the locals of Palo Alto and provides resources for the underserved to have access to a prestigious education.  

The progress women in STEM have made is astounding, but there's still work to be done. We can start by eliminating stereotypes and sexism in the workplace. We are breaking down the barriers between us and equal educational opportunity, piece by piece.