A few years ago, I wrote about a young Boeing engineer, Tiera Fletcher, who had been featured in a national magazine’s list of 15 “Awesome Women of 2017.”
Then 22, Fletcher was a rocket engineer in Huntsville, fresh out of MIT.
In addition to building rockets, Fletcher wanted to inspire young women, especially young Black women like herself, to study math and science and break the STEM barrier for girls.
Fletcher said when I interviewed her in 2017 that just because women are underrepresented in STEM fields doesn’t mean they aren’t cut out for it.
“Do not allow demographics to deter you from contributing to the age of innovation and bringing your dreams to life,” she said.
Her employer, Boeing Co., shares Fletcher’s goal, and just gave Girls Inc. in Huntsville a big boost toward making STEM dreams happen for local girls.
The $120,000 grant will support Girls Inc.’s Operation SMART (Science Math and Relevant Technology) and expand the programs offered to about 700 elementary and middle school girls from the Huntsville area.
Operation SMART was launched in 1985 to develop girls’ interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. They do hands-on activities, solve problems and interact with local professionals in STEM careers.
”Boeing’s generous donation will provide much needed resources to a program that helps girls to consider and pursue STEM careers,’' said Stephanie Malone, Executive Director of Girls Inc. Huntsville.
“Women, especially women of color, remain vastly underrepresented in STEM education and careers, despite recent gains in these areas. Having more of our girls in STEM fields benefit their communities and strengthens America’s workforce.’'
Girls Inc. is one of 20 nonprofits selected by Boeing across the country to receive donations totaling $10.6 million to address racial equality and social justice in the United States.
The money is part of a multi-year commitment of local and national grants intended to increase the number of minority and underserved students on STEM education tracks. The hope is to not only diversify the pipeline of talent coming into the aerospace industry, but to fund programs that will address criminal justice reform and health care gaps in minority communities.
“Imagine the positive impact on our world if our talented underrepresented populations are encouraged and given opportunities toward STEM careers,” said Tina Watts, Boeing community investor. “Underrepresentation of women, people of color, physically disabled people and others is a loss to us all and is an obstacle to our nation realizing its full potential.”
Shelly Haskins writes about points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud
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September 02, 2020 at 08:43PM
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Boeing invests in Girls Inc.’s Operation SMART - AL.com
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