{"id":1916,"date":"2021-11-08T16:20:03","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T16:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rosen-testing.senate.gov\/2021\/11\/08\/on-national-stem-day-rosen-capito-launch-senates-first-women-in-stem-caucus\/"},"modified":"2022-07-13T20:22:59","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T20:22:59","slug":"on-national-stem-day-rosen-capito-launch-senates-first-women-in-stem-caucus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rosen.senate.gov\/es\/2021\/11\/08\/on-national-stem-day-rosen-capito-launch-senates-first-women-in-stem-caucus\/","title":{"rendered":"On National STEM Day, Rosen & Capito Launch Senate\u2019s First Women in STEM Caucus"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b> \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) launched the Senate\u2019s first Women in STEM Caucus, a new bipartisan group that will work to advance women\u2019s participation in science, technology, engineering, and math education and careers. The caucus will provide a forum for discussion and legislative collaboration about how to expand access to STEM education for women and increase women\u2019s participation in STEM-related fields. November 8 is National STEM Day.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to recent<\/span><\/span><\/span> data from the U.S. Census<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, women — who make up nearly half of the entire American workforce — are making gains but are still \u201cvastly underrepresented\u201d in the STEM workforce, holding less than one-third of all STEM jobs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have an important role to play in making STEM education and careers more accessible for women, which is why Senator Capito and I are proud to launch the Senate\u2019s first Women in STEM Caucus,\u201d dijo el Senador Rosen.<\/b> \u201cI know the career opportunities that are available with STEM education, and I\u2019m committed to helping more women, particularly women of color, enter and succeed in these exciting fields. This bipartisan caucus will bring together diverse voices to develop and promote policies and programs that support women and girls in STEM. We will also raise awareness on how women\u2019s underrepresentation in STEM classes and jobs limits the United States from achieving our full economic potential and fully addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSTEM fields are where the in-demand jobs are right now, and it\u2019s where they will be in the future. These are jobs in industries that are critical to our economy, will help our states and country as a whole grow,\u201d said Senator Capito.<\/b> \u201cHowever, as a former educator and college advisor, I have seen firsthand how young women often do not consider STEM education for career paths. I\u2019m proud to team up with my colleague\u2014and former computer programmer\u2014Senator Rosen to launch this caucus, which will help promote policies and other efforts that will increase opportunities for young students to engage in STEM fields. Inspiring our young women to rise up and reach their potential is so important, and I\u2019m excited to be a part of this partnership that will help continue the momentum we\u2019ve started.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Society of Women Engineers is so pleased that Senators Rosen and Capito Moore are once again showing their support for women in STEM by establishing the bipartisan Senate Women in STEM Caucus,\u201d said Karen Horting, Executive Director and CEO of the Society of Women Engineers. <\/b>\u201cThe issues females face in the STEM workforce are plentiful and complicated: identifying and nurturing talent and interest in STEM subjects early; keeping females pursuing study in STEM fields safe and supported; ensuring that pathways to STEM careers are varied and accessible; and, retaining much-needed STEM talent by recognizing and addressing the challenges women in the STEM workforce face, to name a few. This new Caucus will shed light on these issues and the policies that can address them.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo advance innovation, America needs talent, including women and other underrepresented groups,\u201d said Lucinda Sanders, CEO and co-founder of the National Center for Women & Information. <\/b>\u201cFor each woman or member of an underrepresented group who is unprepared or discouraged from full preparation and participation in STEM and computing, America\u2019s future economy and security are weakened. That\u2019s why the formation of the Women\u2019s STEM Caucus is such welcome news.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs the leading society for women in the mathematical sciences, the Association for Women in Mathematics actively works to support women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields,\u201d said Kathryn Leonard, President of the Association for Women in Mathematics.<\/b> \u201cThe Women in STEM Caucus would provide a bipartisan forum to discuss and prioritize ways to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, particularly women from marginalized racial and ethnic groups. We need to draw on all our available talent to contribute to innovation and research in STEM so the US can continue its leading position in science and technology. We appreciate that Senators Rosen and Capito recognize that diverse voices and perspectives in STEM are necessary to keep up with fast-paced technological changes and solve the complex scientific problems that affect our society as a whole.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnsuring the STEM workforce looks like American is important for the future of America\u2019s competitiveness in the world economy. Ensuring all students have the tools to succeed in — and know they can belong in — this fastest-growing, highest-paying employment sector is important for our nation, and particularly for West Virginia. Today\u2019s launch of the Senate Women in STEM Caucus is evidence of Senators Capito and Rosen\u2019s commitment to supporting women and girls in STEM fields to ensure we have a strong, diverse research workforce here in West Virginia and across the country,\u201d said Dr. Gay Stewart, Director of the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in STEM.<\/b> \u201cAs a long-time member of The Science Coalition, West Virginia University applauds Senators Capito and Rosen for leading this bipartisan effort in Congress, which could be a driving force in creating policy solutions that change the landscape of American research and innovation.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As the first former computer programmer in the Senate, Senator Rosen has been a champion for increasing participation in STEM education and careers throughout her time in office. Senator Rosen\u2019s office regularly spotlights <\/span><\/span><\/span>Mujeres de Nevada en STEM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> who are role models and breaking barriers in their fields to inspire young girls and women to pursue STEM education and careers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Since joining the Senate, Senator Capito has strongly advocated for more female involvement in STEM fields through legislative efforts. Additionally, as West Virginia\u2019s first female U.S. Senator, Senator Capito launched a female empowerment program known as,<\/span><\/span><\/span> West Virginia Girls Rise Up<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, which inspires the next generation of female leaders through education, physical fitness, and self-confidence. Since launching, Senator Capito has hosted several STEM-focused Girls Rise Up events with<\/span><\/span><\/span> NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/span><\/span><\/span> IBM<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, and<\/span><\/span><\/span> NASA Astronaut Loral O\u2019Hara<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Senators Rosen and Capito\u2019s bipartisan<\/span><\/span><\/span> Building Blocks of STEM Act<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/a> was signed into law in 2019. This law:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n