Ada Lovelace

By Elisabeth Grant (Washington, D.C.)

Why so few? Why so few women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics? This is the question the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) sought to answer in a joint report they recently conducted and released. The report addressed a myriad of factors that contribute to the low numbers of women in technology and science, from “beliefs about intelligence” to  “workplace bias” (see the New York Times’ excellent analysis of the report in the article, “Bias Called Persistent Hurdle for Women in Sciences“).

In the Forward of the report, the AAUW explains that the study “focuses on practical ways that families, schools, and communities can create an environment of encouragement that can disrupt negative stereotypes about women’s capacity in these demanding fields.”

In an effort to support this, we present five extraordinary women in technology and science to encourage and promote the inclusion of women in these fields. There are, of course, so many more women that could be have been mentioned in this post, and please feel free to add their names to the comment section below.
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By Tina Vasquez (Los Angeles)

Anyone’s who’s ever had to struggle or overcome extreme hardships knows the power of being resilient; the importance of being able to bounce back and keep trudging onwards. According to a new study by Accenture, resilience – or the ability to overcome challenges and turn them into opportunities – also happens to be a much-needed characteristic in the business world; one that is key to keeping your job in a harsh economy.

The global research study entitled Women Leaders and Resilience: Perspectives from the C-Suite was conducted in support of International Women’s Day and the study marks Accenture’s sixth consecutive celebration of this global celebration, which honors the economic, political, and social achievements of women past. It is the company’s hope that their female-focused research helps fuel the dialogue on key issues affecting women in the workplace.

The Findings

Accenture surveyed more than 500 senior executives – including CEO’s, COO’s, CFO’s, and CHRO’s – of mid- to large-size companies in 20 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America. According to the research, these execs believe that women are slightly more resilient than men. Results showed that companies are providing female professionals with a variety of programs aimed at developing resilience.

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By Elisabeth Grant (Washington, D.C.)

Each year the Catalyst Award recognizes businesses that support women’s advancement in the workplace. For 2010, Catalyst Awards were given to the Campbell Soup Company, Deloitte LLP, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and Telstra Corporation Limited. See a list of the 69 companies that have won Catalyst Awards since 1974 on the Catalyst web site.

Companies apply for the award by submitting initiatives to Catalyst that promote “recruitment, development, and advancement of all women.” The Catalyst Awards Committee then evaluates each initiative through on-site visits and “interviews and focus groups with executive management, high-level women, human resources professionals, and other employees at various levels.” Through the evaluation process initiatives are judged on six factors (from the Catalyst web site):
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By Tina Vasquez (Los Angeles)

This year the iconic publication Black Enterprise (BE) celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since 1974 the magazine has featured prominent African American business women in a way that other publications have failed to. In 1991, the magazine published its groundbreaking list of the “21 Women of Power and Influence in Corporate America.” In 2006, it was a list of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business.”

BE rang in 2010 with their most comprehensive list to date, profiling the “75 Most Powerful Women in Business,” as written by BE’s careers and lifestyle editorial director Sonia Alleyne. Alleyne’s rundown of the most prominent African American business women made its way into the hands of the publication’s nearly 3.7 million loyal readers and it is her hope that seeing successful, strong, black women will influence some of the publication’s struggling female readers to continue their fight.

“[We honor these women] to show that it is possible. The benefit men have in business, particularly in the corporate environment, is that they have so many role models; successful men who recognize potential in other young men and offer the necessary support and guidance to make sure they succeed as well. Women have historically operated outside of that network, but when we highlight women who have made it to the senior ranks of an organization or in their own business, it serves as a powerful source of inspiration to others who might be silently struggling in their companies wondering if it’s possible – or if it’s even worth the effort,” Alleyne said.

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