Celebrate Yourself - A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform!

International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world on March 8th. This year, the official theme is “Inspiring Change”. March is also the National Engineering Month and the theme of National Engineering Month Ontario 2014 is ‘Make a World of Difference’! [I bet you guessed where I’m going with this! And yes, I’m very excited about being a woman AND in engineering!]

I absolutely love that there is a day dedicated to women, and I couldn't help but write a post. As women, we can make a world of difference by inspiring change for more women in science, engineering, and technology. Every time, I hear girls afraid to embrace STEM careers because they might not be good at it [See myths about girls and science], or because it’s a man’s world [but again as the song says “it would be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl”], my heart breaks a little. It’s important to close the STEM gender gap [Check out why here]. Here are few 'natural' reasons that show that women have what it takes:

• Diane MarieChild once said that “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform”. This is not only valid in the “Carrying babies” context. It also applies to a plethora of domains. Engineering is about creating, designing, transforming what was before into greater things for the humanity welfare. So, ladies … Engineering might turn out to be more natural to us than we think.
• Engineering is about using scientific knowledge to solve problems. I find it fantastic to solve problems on a regular basis in a way that might change people's lives [It’s almost like being a superhero]. Again, women also have problem solving skills and love to help others.
• Women’s brains do not freeze when they encounter equations or complex mathematical tables and formulas. Here are graphs that refute the idea that women are bad at Math.
• I could go on and on with arguments but today is about celebrating Women in Science and Engineering! 

Why is it essential to do so? Because as Women in Science and Engineering, we are going against the stereotypes. We are also the ones responsible of changing implicit biases [Read Natalie’s blog post and this chapter]. Recent studies indicate that people don’t think implicitly of females being associated with STEM related careers when compared to other careers such as teacher, secretary, etc. These unconscious beliefs or implicit biases may be more powerful than explicitly held beliefs and values simply because we are not aware of them. We need to remind ourselves [yes, sometimes we hold ourselves back!] and the society that women have a lot to offer and their potential can't be reduced to just sitting and being pretty. As Nancy Rathburn said “A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.”

CU-WISE is celebrating you!

Being present, leaning in and talking about our experiences as Women in STEM are ways to change these biases and have more girls embrace STEM! We are creating, nurturing and transforming the image of Women in STEM.
So Celebrate Yourself!!! You are inspiring change and making a world of difference!

Stay great,

Daniella

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Daniella is a Master's student in Electrical and Computer Engineering. One of her dreams is to inspire more women to embrace STEM careers and unleash their full potential. Although she is hardworking and can be very serious, she enjoys comedy and dancing, has a big sense of humour, and believes that a little kindness goes a long way!

Happy Women's International Day

Today is a very special day, it's the 100th International Women's Day and it's up to each country to pick their theme. There are 246 events in Canada alone, with Ottawa having their own version. Companies are reaching out to women and Google created a special doodle for the occasion.



The Washington Post did a brief mention of women in tech.

"The top tech women named in the list are Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz (recognized in the "Business & Trade Unions section), lastminute.com founder and philanthropist Martha Lane Fox and Ushadi.com blogger Juliana Rotich. The list also includes seven scientists and doctors: Hawa Abdi, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Athene Donald, Fabiola Gianotti, Jane Goodall, Molly Stevens and Susan Wicklund."

There is a lot of focus on some very serious issues facing women however it is very hard to find info. on women in tech. Do any women in tech come to mind? If so can you share your story about them.

Till then, Happy International Women's Day.

International Women's Day 2010

Happy International Women's Day!!

Today, March 8th, is observed as the International Women's day in a lot of countries all over the world to celebrate respect, appreciation, love towards women and economic, political and social achievements of women. This year, it is all the more special, as the world celebrates its 99th International Women Day. The first occurrence of women's day was on 28th February, 1909 in the US, and was called the National Women's day. The UN has always been a strong supporter of equality between men and women, and in 1977, also adopted a resolution proclaiming a UN Day for Women's Rights. A lot goes on all around the world to commemorate the International Women's Day.

Women smoothly transition from one role to another in their lifetime - from a girl to a woman to a girlfriend to a wife to a mother. Each of the roles require immense dedication and love. Women somehow have it in them to be able to be patient, supportive and always giving. Although a very rewarding experience, being a woman also has its challenges.

Women often have to deal with issues like gender differences and sexual abuse. In developed countries, differences between men and women are still visible, although it is still not bad as in developing countries. In developing countries, women are denied to right to education amongst other rights. In some countries in extensively poor families, the girl's education is given up for the sake of the boy's, on the pretext of the girl only having to manage the household chores. However, when given an opportunity, women have shown they are no less than their male counterparts in any way. Providing education is one of the best gifts that one can shower on a girl. It makes the girl capable of thinking what is right and what is not, thus making her more confident about herself and more capable of helping others in need. Women today are going to colleges and universities, contributing to research, and holding high positions in companies. They should continue the trend, thus making the gender difference bleaker.

The other major issue I feel in women's lives is sexual abuse. According to statistics, one in five women are victims of sexual abuse in their lifetime. This certainly is not a very encouraging statistic when we are living in what we like to call the modern society. Awareness needs to be raised on this issue and women need to be treated with as much respect as men.

Women have come a long way, and have had to fight for their rights in a lot of situations. But persistence and determination has remained their strongest asset always. Much still needs to be done in terms of women rights, and it has to be done by women, being supportively beside each other, and making their voice heard. The Women's day is one such opportunity that celebrates the achievements of women, and sheds a light on the issues and concerns that need to be worked on.

Kudos to all the women out there! Celebrate your day!

For more information on what's going on in your part of the world on this day to celebrate women, please see the website International Women's Day.