The women of STEM are fearless. They helped build the foundations for the technology we enjoy today. They are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, friends whose fierceness is admirable because they defied the odds to get to where they are today. Many take for granted the ability to go to school, later to college and acquire a degree that will open the door to a long and successful career. Some of the women in STEM were the first to earn a degree for their kind, and some for their countries and ethnicity as recent as last year. It is amazing to have met the leaders of the past, present and future during my days at the Women of Color conference in Detroit, MI (2016). A true blessing to have been selected to attend.
The conference aims to explore the stories and struggles of the women in science, engineering, math and technology. Open to all, you will see men and women of all colors, backgrounds and sizes walking through the COBO Center. The ultimate goal is to network, listening and learning about the many ways one can further a career with grace, diplomacy, and compassion proactively and effectively. As an audience, your only job is to internalize the information and become self aware; to let go of the biases and impediments that you impose on yourself and your professional development.
At every seminar gifts are bestowed upon the brave souls that dare to speak to the crowd and participate by asking questions. What surprised me was that some of these give aways include books! First conference ever where I see this occur. It is true what they say, knowledge is power, and wisdom and enlightenment is exactly what you will take home. The fact that women planned and executed this event for the betterment of womankind is remarkable. With unity comes strength and at the WOC there is no cat fighting and backstabbing allowed; we come together to raise each other and further woman equality and pride in the workforce. We are blessed to be together from all over the world to celebrate the technology stars of today.
If you can, check out their website and enroll for next year. Dare to nominate yourself too. This experience is best lived than described. Plus Detroit isn’t so bad either.
Mrs. Enginerd - Nerd Whisperer 