Black Girls CODE and YWCA of Brooklyn Presents, Women of Color in STEM Career Panel for Girls – Oct 11th NYC
Black Girls CODE and The YWCA of Brooklyn will host a Women Of Color in STEM Career Panel on October 11, 2014, 9:00 a.m. The goal of the event is to increase interest of girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career fields (STEM). Women of color are historically underrepresented in STEM careers.
Black Girls CODE and The YWCA of Brooklyn chose October 11th to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, a movement which supports the empowerment of girls. In recognition of International Day of the Girl, this event will empower, enlighten, and encourage girls to break down barriers and debunk myths about STEM professions.
“The YWCA is delighted to partner with Black Girls CODE in celebration of International Day of the Girl. Women, and particularly women of color, are underrepresented in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. We hope that by providing encouragement, education and role models, more girls will consider careers in these fields. Not only can women lead in STEM but, by doing so they will shape the world of our future.
Pay equity is also one of the tenets of the YWCA of Brooklyn’s mission and while women still only earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn, African-American women earn only 68 cents, and Latina’s only 57 cents. The YWCA believes that educating girls about their career options, especially in higher paying nontraditional occupations, will not only support women to become leaders in these fields, it will also help close the gender wage gap.” – Martha Kamber, YWCA of Brooklyn CEO & President.
“We are very excited to join in the celebration of International Day of the Girl Child with this innovative event highlighting women of color in STEM fields. With the support of Google, a New York chapter sponsor, and our community partner, The YWCA of Brooklyn, we hope to introduce girls in the New York area to role models and mentors who are forging a path as leaders and innovators in career fields in which women especially women of color have been traditionally underrepresented.
Celebrating these successes helps our girls to see that it can be done – that they too can succeed in STEM.” – Kimberly Bryant, Black Girls CODE Founder & Executive Director.
Women and people of color are traditionally vastly underrepresented in STEM fields especially in technology where only 3% of African American women and less than 1% of Latinas receive degrees in computer science. The Women of Color Career Panel will provide girls from all corners of New York City an opportunity to be exposed to a career field in which there will be 1.4 million jobs created by the year 2020.
This event would not be possible without generous donations from Google, Etsy, and Trader Joe’s.
About Black Girls CODE:
Since 2011, Black Girls CODE has been a transformative global movement fueled by the power of individual but connected and engaged chapters dedicated to providing girls of color with the technical skills and inspiration to become technology leaders of tomorrow. Black Girls CODE is committed to changing the face of technology.
The San Francisco based nonprofit introduces girls of color, ages 7-17, to computer programming, mobile app development, robotics and other STEM fields. In 2012 the nonprofit launched in 10 cities nationwide and expanded to South Africa. Voted as “2012 Most Innovative Nonprofit” by Bank of the West and “Top Social Enterprise Improving the Lives of Women and Girls” by Women Deliver in 2013, the nonprofit continues to expand and empower hundreds of girls worldwide. For more information go to Black Girls CODE website.
About YWCA of Brooklyn:
The YWCA of Brooklyn is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
The YWCA furthers its mission by providing affordable, safe, permanent, housing for over 300 women; social justice advocacy, education and activism; and newly renovated, conveniently located offices, event space, and meeting and training facilities for our nonprofit and civic partners in the Brooklyn community. Learn more about the YWCA of Brooklyn at ywcabklyn.org.
