February 11th marked the first ever International Day of Women and Girls in STEM. Created by a United Nations resolution, the day is intended in part, to celebrate the contributions women have made to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage more young women to pursue a career in fields historically dominated by men. Even today, despite graduating with more than half of all bachelor’s degrees, women make up only 20% of STEM professionals.

Mining, Nevada’s oldest and most enduring STEM industry, has made strides by increasing its percentage of women employees since the 1970s from 5% to 25%. While that improvement is encouraging, there is still more work to be done. Fortunately, people inside the industry are committed to creating a more diverse workforce. Our own Workforce Development Committee is exploring the issue. Many mining companies have taken positive steps, such as developing leadership programs for women and enhancing maternity and paternity leaves for employees, to help women build their careers.

The most important thing that each one of us can do is to encourage our daughters, our nieces, and other young women who are interested in STEM to pursue their dreams. Breaking down barriers and resisting tired cliches is never easy, but the next Ada Lovelace (creator of the first computer program), Rosalind Franklin (discoverer of the DNA double helix), Kathleen Altman (first PhD in metallurgy to graduate from Nevada’s Mackay School of Mines) and so many others, are out there. It us up to us to give them the tools, the encouragement, and the opportunity.

Cheers!

Dana